Securing Europe's Plasma supply
Alpha-1 Europe Alliance publishes its first position paper under its Call to Action – Roadmap 2030, calling on European policymakers to build a resilient, ethical and more self-sufficient plasma supply across Europe.
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Why this is a priority for the AATD community
Augmentation therapy — the only treatment specifically developed for Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (AATD) — depends entirely on human plasma. Yet Europe remains heavily reliant on plasma collected outside its borders, particularly in the United States. This leaves patients vulnerable to supply disruptions driven by factors beyond Europe’s control.
With the EU Regulation on Substances of Human Origin (SoHO) now in force, Europe has an important opportunity to translate a new policy framework into concrete national action — and strengthen the resilience of the plasma supply on which patients depend.
Why now?
A patient reality that cannot wait
Lung damage caused by AATD is irreversible. Interruptions in the supply of plasma-derived medicines are not simply a logistical challenge — they can directly affect patients who rely on continuous access to treatment.
A critical policy opportunity
The SoHO Regulation establishes the objective of ensuring a “sufficient, adequate and resilient supply” of critical substances and contributing to European self-sufficiency. Its main provisions will apply from 7 August 2027, giving Member States a clear window to strengthen national legislation, collection systems, competent authorities, and oversight mechanisms.
A strategic vulnerability
The EU does not currently collect enough plasma to meet its needs and relies significantly on plasma imported from the United States, which accounts for around 40% of the EU’s plasma supply according to the European Commission. This level of external dependence exposes Europe’s plasma-derived medicines supply to international policy, trade and market developments beyond its control.
Why self-sufficiency starts locally
A resilient European plasma supply cannot be built in Brussels alone. Every Member State has a role in strengthening collection capacity, protecting donors and ensuring sustainable access to plasma-derived medicines.
- Build capacity: Public and responsible private collection systems can work together to expand access and reach more donors, including in underserved areas.
- Protect donors: Safe and sustainable collection requires appropriate donation limits, health monitoring, registries and fair compensation with appropriate safeguards.
- Ensure ethical coherence: Where compensated donation is restricted, countries should invest in alternative routes to sufficient domestic plasma collection.
What the Alliance is calling for
- Expand and modernise plasma collection capacity, combining public investment with responsible private participation.
- Protect donors through registries, frequency limits and regular health monitoring.
- Support fair, safeguarded compensation for donors' time and inconvenience.
- Prevent plasma collection from crowding out whole blood donation.
- Ensure ethical coherence: countries rejecting compensated donation must find alternative routes to sufficiency at home.
European change starts with action at national and local level.
Access the Position paper and communication toolkit below
Take the message to your policymakers and help turn Europe’s plasma priorities into local action.
Position paper
Alpha-1 national organisations and policymakers are invited to use this paper as the basis for national dialogue — because a resilient European plasma supply will be built country by country, not by Brussels alone.
Be a voice for patients
Increasing plasma collection in Europe must go hand in hand with ensuring that the plasma collected is effectively transformed into the plasma-derived medicinal products patients depend on, including Alpha-1 Antitrypsin products, and that those medicines are made available to patients in a reliable and sustainable way.
Download and share. Be a voice for Alpha-1 patients!
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