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Factor concentrates for haemophilia in the developing world
A Bird1, P Isarangkura, D Almagro
1West Province Blood Transfusion Service, Cape Town, South Africa.
Summary
Local production of affordable factor concentrates significantly improves hemophilia care in developing nations. This approach enhances accessibility and enables home therapy, benefiting many patients.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Public Health
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Hemophilia management has advanced due to safe factor concentrates.
- High costs limit access to these treatments for 80% of hemophiliacs globally, particularly in developing countries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility and impact of local production of low- to intermediate-purity factor concentrates in developing countries.
- To explore the economic viability and benefits of establishing local plasma fractionation facilities.
Main Methods:
- Review of experiences in South Africa, Thailand, Cuba, and Brazil regarding local factor concentrate production.
- Analysis of the infrastructure requirements and cost-effectiveness of basic plasma fractionation.
Main Results:
- Local production yields economical factor concentrates compared to commercial products, drastically improving hemophilia care.
- Accessible, low-cost concentrates facilitate wider treatment availability and home therapy.
- Plasma fractionation plants also produce albumin and immunoglobulins, generating revenue to subsidize hemophilia care and improve transfusion services.
Conclusions:
- Local production of intermediate-purity factor concentrates is essential for developing countries.
- Well-organized transfusion services are crucial for collecting sufficient plasma for fractionation.
- This strategy improves hemophilia care and benefits patients with other transfusion-dependent diseases.