New pressures on a strained plasma market

On June 15, The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) closed the borders to Mexican citizens choosing to voluntarily donate blood plasma. These activities threaten to severely limit our community’s access to life-sustaining plasma-derived medications.

IDF advocates on behalf of all Americans impacted by primary immunodeficiencies most of whom can live healthy, productive lives if they receive lifelong - and lifesaving - immunoglobulin (Ig) therapy. Without such medications, people will be unable to fend off infections, which for many mean hospitalizations, severe complications, and potentially death. 

Plasma donations are essential to Ig therapy as Ig is made from human plasma, and it cannot be produced without a continuous supply of source plasma from donors. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated plasma shortages. Simply put, any actions that place pressure on an already strained market will have serious consequences.

We are very troubled by reports that CBP will no longer permit Mexican nationals holding B1/B2 tourist visas to enter the United States to donate plasma. This action could reduce the plasma supply used to make lifesaving therapies by 5 to 10 percent. If these changes are implemented, we will see further pressure on the supply of plasma that will jeopardize the health of Americans with PI and other conditions.

To address this, we have sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security to ask that they freeze this implementation and that they fully understand the negative consequences of such action.

CLICK HERE to read the full letter