The UK's National Health Service (NHS) has resumed the use of domestically sourced plasma for medicinal purposes, marking a shift in the country's healthcare provision.

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) and NHS England have begun the production of blood plasma medicine from UK donors, after the recent lifting of a ban on UK plasma that had been in place since 1998.

Donors can schedule appointments at dedicated plasma donation centres in Birmingham, Reading or Twickenham, or make blood donations at any of the 27 donor centres across the country.

The initial UK-sourced plasma medicines will be derived from donations in England, with Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland anticipated to follow suit.

UK Health Minister Baroness Gillian Merron said: “As part of our Plan for Change, we are improving access to life-saving treatments for thousands of NHS patients and strengthening healthcare security.

“By sourcing our own medicine, we are building a more resilient and domestic medical supply chain and boosting economic growth.”

The UK's self-sufficiency in plasma medicines is expected to save the NHS between £5m ($5.43m) and £10m ($10.86m) a year, as countries worldwide face a shortage of plasma.

Around 17,000 NHS patients with rare diseases and immune deficiencies currently depend on plasma donations.

The NHS aims to achieve 25% self-sufficiency in immunoglobulin by the end of this year, with a projected increase to up to 35% by 2031.

For albumin, the health service's target is an 80% self-sufficiency rate by next year.

NHS England national medical director Stephen Powis said: “This landmark moment ensures patients relying on crucial plasma-derived medicines will always have access to the treatment they need.

“Thanks to NHS efforts, new plasma-derived products, owned from start to finish by the UK, will reduce our reliance on imported stock and boost the fortitude of hospital supplies.”