The Centre has sanctioned the proposal to set up Rs 250-crore plasma fractionation centre with a capacity to process more than 1.5 lakh liters of plasma at Chennai as part of the ongoing National AIDS Control programme- phase-III to ensure access of plasma derivatives to needy patients at affordable prices.

The Union Cabinet approved the proposal recently. The state-of-the-art facility with the latest technology and equipment is expected to reduce the dependence to imports of factor VIII and factor IX derivatives and save foreign exchange, according to the official sources.

The centre, with international standards, will manufacture all important plasma derivatives which are presently being imported. This will reduce our dependence on imports of these plasma products. The imported plasma derivatives are expensive and not accessible to all the needy patients. The Centre will be operated on a self-sustained, non-profit model in the public sector.

Out of Rs 250 crore, Rs 25 crore will be for building construction, Rs 65 crore for procurement of equipments, Rs 20.0 crore for manpower and Rs 140.00 crore for consumables and other recurring expenses. The time frame for setting up this facility will be co-terminus to phase-III of National AIDS Control Programme during 2007-2012.

Plasma is one of the components of blood and can be used for preparation of several plasma derivatives. Transfusion of plasma and administration of plasma fractionation derivatives is indicated for many medical conditions such as Haemophilia-A, Haemophilia -B, Von-Willebrnd's disease, Immunodeficiencies, and others. These patients require periodic transfusion of a desired plasma product for their clinical management. However, in the absence of access to these derivatives, whole blood is used which is a sub-optimal use of the blood.

The bulk demand for the plasma components is met through imports. Plasma and plasma derivatives are not accessible to the economically poor patients due to high costs. Haemophiliacs need to take Anti Haemophilic factor (AHF) at periodic intervals, lifelong depending on the severity of the condition. The import of plasma products accounts for an estimated foreign exchange Rs 80 to 90 crore annually.