California Patients, Experts, and Health Care Advocates Highlight Urgent Need to Increase Access to Plasma-Derived Medicines

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, the California Rare Disease Access Coalition, Hemophilia Council of California, and Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association called for the swift passage of Assembly Bill 725, introduced by Assemblymember José Luis Solache, Jr. (D-Lynwood). The virtual briefing convened experts and patient advocates to highlight the urgent need for more plasma donations in the state, and how AB 725 will increase access to plasma-derived medicines. A recording of the briefing can be found here.

AB 725 is about real people. It’s about patients who depend on plasma-derived medicines to survive. It’s about the donors who selflessly give their time. And, it’s about ensuring that California's laws support progress, not hinder it.

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Plasma and the medicines derived from this essential resource are life-changing and life-saving for those living with complex and rare conditions, including primary immunodeficiencies, hereditary angioedema, Kawasaki disease, von Willebrand disease, and more. In California, each of the nearly 70 plasma donation centers statewide employ between 50 to 70 highly skilled workers and contribute more than $4 million annually to local economies — totaling more than $270 million statewide.

“As more people are diagnosed with rare and chronic conditions, the urgent need for plasma donations and plasma-derived medicines continues to grow,” said Anita Brikman, President and CEO, Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association. “AB 725 is an opportunity for California to support the entire plasma ecosystem, from donors and health care professionals to patients who rely on these life-saving therapies. By addressing barriers to source plasma donation, AB 725 will increase access and help ensure a robust supply of life-saving medicines for future generations.”

“For me, plasma isn’t just medicine – it’s personal. It’s ingrained in my life, my career, and my family. I have had the incredible opportunity to see both the science behind the medicines and the life-saving impact they have on patients like me,” said Zuiho “Z” Taniguchi, Board Member, Hemophilia Council of California, and an individual living with von Willebrand disease. “And, for patients like my daughter, Akaly, who was diagnosed eight years ago, what was once my disease is now ours.”

The challenges faced by those relying on these therapies are not unique to any one patient —they are shared by many people living with rare and chronic conditions.

“The reality is that many serious conditions, including hemophilia and von Willebrand disease, rely on plasma donations for individualized treatment options. Without a strong plasma donation network, patients are at risk of losing timely access to life-saving therapies,” said Lynne Kinst, Executive Director of the Hemophilia Council of California and Founder, California Rare Disease Access Coalition. “Increasing plasma donations is not just a policy decision — it is a commitment to protecting the health and wellbeing of our friends, coworkers, neighbors, and loved ones.”

“We must fight for increased access to plasma-derived medicines, so no one is left behind. These critical treatments stopped the progression of my condition and gave me a chance to recover. Without plasma, I might not be here today,” said Patty Calabro, a Sacramento resident living with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). “It’s important we advocate for ourselves as patients relying on plasma-derived medicines; we are too important to be dismissed.”

Taniguchi, Kinst, and Calabro’s stories are just a few examples of the countless patients across California who depend on plasma-derived medicines to manage their conditions and maintain their quality of life. But access to these lifesaving treatments is only possible when there is a strong and reliable supply of donated plasma.

AB 725 will update the state’s regulatory framework to align with modern technology, ensuring that plasma centers can operate more efficiently and meet the growing demand for plasma. These regulatory reforms would boost California’s role as a leader in plasma donation and manufacturing.

"At the end of the day, AB 725 is about real people. It’s about patients who depend on plasma-derived medicines to survive,” concluded Brikman. “It’s about the donors who selflessly give their time. And, it’s about ensuring that California’s laws support progress, not hinder it.”

To learn more about AB 725, click here. And, to learn more about the power of plasma and the patients who rely on life-saving plasma-derived medicines, visit calplasma.org.

About the California Rare Disease Access Coalition

The California Rare Disease Access Coalition advocates for equitable access to care, treatment, and support for individuals living with rare diseases across the state. https://www.hemophiliaca.org/ca-rda-coalition/

About the Hemophilia Council of California (HCC)

HCC is dedicated to improving access to quality care and supporting the bleeding disorders community in California through education, advocacy, and outreach. https://www.hemophiliaca.org/

About the Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association (PPTA)

PPTA represents the global plasma collection and therapeutics industry, working to ensure the availability of lifesaving plasma-derived therapies for patients with rare and chronic conditions. https://www.pptaglobal.org/