In a press release, the National Medicines Safety Agency (ANSM) is alarmed by a decrease in the supply of immunoglobulins. In case: a drop in blood and plasma donations since the start of the pandemic.
- Found in blood plasma, immunoglobulins help the immune system against certain diseases.
- The ANSM is concerned about the drastic drop in immunoglobulin stocks due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Derived from human plasma, immunoglobulins (ig) are essential proteins that circulate in our blood. Presenting a broad spectrum of anti-IgG antibodies, they are essential for our immune system to fight against infectious agents. They are particularly used to fight against certain diseases, such as Guillain-Barré syndrome, Kawasaki disease or even for the prophylactic treatment of certain subjects at risk exposed to a confirmed case of measles (unvaccinated pregnant woman with no history of measles). measles, immunocompromised people or babies under 6 months whose mother has measles).
1,000 plasma donations needed
Typically, this therapeutic product is prepared from pooled plasma from a minimum of 1,000 donations. But the available stocks of immunoglobulins are decreasing at a worrying rate, and are struggling to be replenished again.
In a statement dated Friday, October 15, the National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM) is indeed concerned about the “coming tensions in human immunoglobulins (Ig), following a reduction in laboratory supply capacities”.
According to the ANSM, “These tensions can be explained in particular by the worldwide drop in blood and plasma collection in the context of Covid-19”.
Working groups on the issue
To reflect on the means of countering these supply difficulties, the health authorities have announced that they have put in place “workgroups” which bring together representatives of patient associations and healthcare professionals. Two meetings have already been held on September 30 and October 12. While waiting for a return to a normal supply of immunoglobulins, “all stakeholders reiterated the importance of strict compliance” of the “hierarchy” diseases that can benefit from “these essential drugs”.
This is not the first time that stocks of immunoglobulins have drastically decreased. Work has been initiated within the Ministry of Solidarity and Health “to increase plasma collection over the long term and thus optimize the securing of the supply of these treatments on French territory”recalls the ANSM.
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