Plasma collection in Italy continues to grow and reaches a new record in 2025. According to data analysed by the National Blood Centre, 919.7 tonnes of plasma were collected over the past year, 11 tonnes more than in 2024.

The Italian system,” comments Professor Luciana Teofili, Director General of the National Blood Centre, “demonstrates its ability to exceed planned targets and, for the second consecutive year, surpasses the threshold of 900 tonnes of plasma collected, thanks to millions of voluntary, non-remunerated blood donors and to the commitment of associations and collection centres within the National Health Service.”

“Despite these significant figures, however,” Teofili continues, “plasma self-sufficiency remains a challenge for Italy, whereas balance has been achieved in the collection of red blood cells. Demand for plasma-derived medicinal products, particularly immunoglobulins, has in fact continued to rise, recording an increase of 57% over the past ten years.”

The additional plasma collected compared with 2024 is mainly attributable to an increase in plasmapheresis collections (+6.4%), a procedure which, through the use of a cell separator, allows only plasma—the liquid component of blood—to be collected, while red blood cells and platelets are returned to the donor’s circulation. This type of donation makes it possible to collect a greater volume of plasma than is obtained through whole blood donation, allows for faster recovery, and enables more frequent donations, up to one every 15 days.

In 2025, 15.6 kilograms of plasma per thousand inhabitants were thus supplied to industry for the production of plasma-derived medicinal products. This represents a further step forward towards the medium-term target of 18 kilograms per thousand inhabitants, identified as the first milestone on the path towards strategic independence in the field of plasma-derived medicinal products.

With regard to immunoglobulins, Italy is able to meet approximately 60% of demand. The situation is more favourable for the other key medicinal product, albumin, for which the level of self-sufficiency exceeds 75%. The remaining shortfall is sourced from the market, at significant cost to the National Health Service.

For this reason, in addition to working alongside the major donor associations (AVIS, FIDAS, FRATRES and the Italian Red Cross) to increase plasma collection, the National Blood Centre has also launched a study to assess the clinical appropriateness of immunoglobulin use in hospital settings. The study, funded by the National Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (CCM) of the Ministry of Health, involves the Regions of Valle d’Aosta, Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany, Marche, Umbria, Lazio, Apulia, Calabria and Sicily, as well as AGENAS, AIFA, the Statistics Department of the Istituto Superiore di Sanità, and the University of Milan–Bicocca.

“Our strategic objective,” Teofili concludes, “is to achieve self-sufficiency also in plasma collection. While on the one hand we must encourage an increasing number of people to choose to donate regularly and to donate through apheresis, on the other hand the response of the donor community places upon us a major responsibility: ensuring the appropriate use of immunoglobulins. The study we have launched—the first of its kind in Europe—will provide us with essential tools to monitor the appropriate use of these medicinal products.”

Plasmapheresis
Plasmapheresis is a donation procedure carried out using specialised equipment (a cell separator), which immediately separates the cellular components—namely red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets—from the liquid component, which is collected in a bag of approximately 600 ml. The cellular components are reinfused into the donor. The volume of fluid removed during donation is rapidly restored through natural recovery mechanisms, the infusion of saline solution, and oral fluid intake.


The Production of Medicines from National Plasma
Plasma is supplied to the pharmaceutical industry, where it is used to produce life-saving medicines known as plasma-derived products, such as immunoglobulins, albumin, and coagulation factors. The medicines produced from donated plasma are not used for commercial purposes; once processing is complete, they are returned to the healthcare facilities of Italy’s Regions and Autonomous Provinces. Plasma-derived medicines are distributed free of charge to patients who need them, and any batches exceeding national requirements are donated to countries in need through international cooperation programmes.

For Info
https://www.italiaplasma.it/en/