An expert explained what is actually meant by blood products

Ivan Semyonov, an expert of the educational project on blood and plasma donation "+Ya", told Izvestia on January 19.

The phrase "blood products" is often associated with the treatment of blood diseases - by analogy with oncology drugs or diabetic medications.

"This is true and not true at the same time. Blood products are used in the therapy of a wide range of diseases. Yes, blood diseases are among them - but that's not all that such drugs can help us with," the expert noted.

He explained that most blood products are derived from its liquid component - plasma. Plasma is rich in useful substances that are responsible for various processes in our body. When for some reason a patient lacks his own substances, the donor's plasma and preparations based on it can save his life.

"Plasma transfusions are necessary in case of heavy bleeding, some injuries and burns, for expectant mothers - in case of complicated labor. But donors provide no less help to those who have faced chronic diseases. Such patients can not only transfuse plasma, but also take medicines based on it. And thanks to them live qualitatively and actively," Semenov added.

According to him, the main substance that is obtained from plasma is albumin. It is indispensable in the operating room - it is used in case of profuse blood loss, as well as in the treatment of burns. Also, patients with dysfunctions of various organs need albumin.

The expert specified that other blood products can be divided into several groups. These are immunoglobulins - for the treatment of congenital and acquired immunodeficiencies, severe bacterial and viral infections, poisoning and their consequences. These are clotting factors - just they are useful in blood pathologies, such as hemophilia. And these are some other proteins - the need for them is less frequent, but they do not become less valuable.

"An example is alpha-1-antitrypsin and C1-esterase inhibitor, which prevent our body from attacking itself. The first substance protects tissues from the damage that activated enzymes can do to them. The second blocks inadequately strong immune responses," Semenov said.

Plasma for making blood products is called production plasma. In Russia, the stock of such plasma has grown by multiples over the past few years. According to Semenov, this is a very important trend - the current volume of plasma is enough to finally overcome dependence on imported blood products. But this does not mean that the health care system does not need the help of new donors.

The expert emphasized that human blood is a unique material, and today it has no artificial analogues. But there are many limitations in its use. These are high requirements for the health of the donor, and the limited shelf life of the material, and a ban on too frequent donations, which can harm health.

"Whole blood, for example, can be donated no more often than once every two months - up to a total of four or five times a year. Plasma can be shared more frequently - every two weeks. But there is also a "limit": a donor can donate up to 12 liters per year. To meet the needs of the production of blood products, in the next five years will require the help of 50-70 thousand new donors", - concluded Semenov.

Earlier, on January 15, it was reported that, according to the analytical company RNC Pharma, in 2024 the volume of foreign drugs imported into Russia began to grow again. The total list of foreign-made products supplied to the country in 2020 decreased immediately by 817 items and continued to decrease annually.