Introduction

Blood donation has long been seen as a symbol of generosity and a noble act in modern society. People donate their blood to save lives and help those in need. However, the reality of the blood trade is quite different. Profit and the demand for valuable components like plasma are what drive the blood industry behind the scenes.

Plasma, a yellow liquid rich in proteins, is the main component of blood and is more expensive than oil. It is highly sought after by pharmaceutical companies, which use it to create expensive and profitable drugs. The plasma fractionation industry, made up of companies like Baxter, CSL Behring, Grifols, and Octapharma, controls a market worth billions of dollars.

While blood donation is often portrayed as a selfless act, the truth is that most donated blood is sold to private companies. The Red Cross, for example, sells 80,000 litres of plasma to pharmaceutical companies each year, making millions of dollars in profit. Blood donation centres hardly ever promote this fact.

The blood trade raises concerns about compensation, exploitation, and the health risks faced by donors. In countries like the United States, where compensation for blood donation is allowed, the industry attracts a high-risk population, including those with secrets to hide. Donors may lie about their health to receive payment, putting the safety of the blood supply at risk.

Overall, the blood trade is a complex and controversial industry. It raises questions about transparency, donor selection, and control over imported plasma. While the checks and sanitation measures in place aim to ensure the safety of the blood supply, there is always a risk of new viruses slipping through and spreading rapidly in a globalised world.

The blood trade industry

While blood donation is often seen as a selfless act, there is a dark reality behind the scenes of the blood trade industry. In this lucrative market, pharmaceutical companies play a major role by buying plasma from organisations like the Red Cross.

The Red Cross, for example, sells 80,000 litres of plasma to pharmaceutical companies each year, making millions of dollars in profit. Blood donation facilities rarely advertise this fact, raising questions about transparency and donor compensation.

Pharmaceutical companies like Baxter, CSL Behring, Grifols, and Octapharma dominate the plasma fractionation industry, controlling a market worth billions of dollars. Octapharma, in particular, plays a significant role in Switzerland, where it is headquartered.

Wolfgang Marguerre is the family-owned CEO of Octapharma, which has a $6 billion estimated net worth. They view plasma as a raw material and have developed a bioreactor that produces the necessary proteins for their profitable drugs.

Despite the lucrative nature of the industry, concerns about the health risks faced by donors arise. The compensation offered for blood donation attracts a high-risk population, potentially leading to donors lying about their health in order to receive payment. This puts the safety of the blood supply at risk.

The blood trade industry is complex and controversial, raising questions about donor selection, transparency, and control over imported plasma. While measures are in place to ensure the safety of the blood supply, the risk of new viruses slipping through and spreading in a globalised world remains a concern.

The Impact on Patients

Plasma-based treatments and their importance:

• Plasma, the main component of blood, contains proteins that are used to create expensive and profitable drugs.

• These plasma-based treatments are vital for patients with rare, chronic, and genetic diseases.

• For patients like Tamara, who suffers from an immune deficiency, plasma-based treatment has greatly improved her quality of life.

Tamara's experience with plasma treatment:

• Tamara relies on plasma-based treatment to manage her immune deficiency and prevent repeated infections.

• Without plasma-based treatment, her life would be much more difficult and she would be at a higher risk for serious health complications.

The origin of blood in drugs:

• The plasma used in drugs is often sourced from blood donations.

• In Switzerland, the Swissmedic authority ensures that plasma for Swiss drugs does not come from paid donors.

• However, the exact origin of the plasma used in drugs remains a trade secret for many companies, raising concerns about transparency and traceability.

Concerns about imported plasma:

• The USA is the world's main exporter of human plasma, with 70% of the world market.

• European countries, including Switzerland, rely on imported plasma for the production of drugs.

• Imported plasma raises concerns about quality control, as each country has its own standards and regulations for blood and plasma collection.

• There is also a risk of new viruses slipping through and spreading, especially in a globalized world where plasma is being traded internationally.

Exploitation and health risks

The blood trade industry raises concerns about compensation, exploitation, and the health risks faced by donors. While blood donation is often seen as a selfless act, the reality is that most donated blood is sold to private companies, such as pharmaceutical companies. For example, the Red Cross sells 80,000 litres of plasma to pharmaceutical companies each year, making millions of dollars in profit. Blood donation centres hardly ever promote this fact.

Compensation vs. payment for plasma

In countries like the United States, where compensation for blood donation is allowed, the industry attracts a high-risk population, including those with secrets to hide. Donors may lie about their health to receive payment, putting the safety of the blood supply at risk. There is a distinction between compensation and payment for plasma. While compensation is meant to cover the time and inconvenience of donating blood, payment implies a financial transaction, which can lead to exploitation.

The high fees offered in the USA

The fees offered for blood donation in the USA are much higher than in other countries, making it a lucrative option for the poorest individuals. This can create a situation where individuals rely on selling their plasma as a source of income rather than donating blood out of altruism.

The health risks for donors

Donating plasma twice a week, as is common in the USA, can have negative health effects on donors. Common side effects reported by donors include fatigue and headaches. However, the long-term effects of donating plasma on donor health are not well documented. Furthermore, inadequate checks and monitoring of donors in some blood centres can lead to health risks, as donors with underlying health conditions may not be properly screened.

Donors lying about their health

The compensation offered for blood donation can encourage donors to lie about their health to qualify for payment. This puts the safety of the blood supply at risk, as donors with undisclosed health conditions may donate contaminated blood.

Inadequate checks and monitoring

In some blood centres, the checks and monitoring of donors are insufficient. Physical examinations, such as measuring blood pressure, are often the only screening method used. This can lead to donors with underlying health conditions being overlooked, putting the safety of the blood supply at risk.

Transparency and control

The blood trade industry raises concerns about compensation, exploitation, and the health risks faced by donors. While blood donation is often seen as a selfless act, the reality is that most donated blood is sold to private companies, such as pharmaceutical companies. For example, the Red Cross sells 80,000 litres of plasma to pharmaceutical companies each year, making millions of dollars in profit. Blood donation centres hardly ever promote this fact.

The Lack of Transparency in the Industry

The lack of transparency in the blood trade industry is a cause for concern. The majority of donors are unaware that their donated blood is sold to pharmaceutical companies for profit. This lack of transparency raises questions about the ethical practices of the industry and whether donors are fully informed about where their blood is going.

Sanitation Checks and Known Risks

While sanitation checks and measures are in place to ensure the safety of the blood supply, there is still a risk of contamination and the transmission of diseases. The blood contamination scandal that hit Europe in the past serves as a reminder that zero risk does not exist. While measures have been put in place to increase the safety of the blood supply, it is important to remain vigilant and continue to monitor and improve sanitation practices.

The Possibility of New Viruses

With the globalisation of the blood trade industry, there is an increased risk of new viruses slipping through and spreading rapidly. The importation of plasma from different countries with varying standards and regulations for blood and plasma collection raises concerns about the quality control of the imported plasma. This is particularly relevant as the USA is the world's main exporter of human plasma, and European countries rely on imported plasma for the production of drugs.

The Need for Self-Sufficiency in Plasma Production

To minimise the risks associated with the blood trade industry, there is a need for countries to strive for self-sufficiency in plasma production. Self-sufficiency would allow for better control over the production process and ensure that the blood supply is safe and of high quality. The World Health Organisation promotes self-sufficiency as it leads to safer systems and better access to blood and plasma products.

The Challenges of Achieving Self-Sufficiency

Despite the importance of self-sufficiency, achieving it is a challenging task. Many countries, including European countries, have made the decision to privatise or move towards private management of their blood donation systems. This reliance on private companies for the collection and production of plasma makes it difficult for countries to become self-sufficient. Additionally, the high fees offered for blood donation in the USA make it a lucrative option for individuals, leading to a high-risk population and potential health risks for donors.

Octapharma's Refusal to Answer

Octapharma, a major player in the plasma fractionation industry, has come under scrutiny for its lack of transparency and refusal to answer important questions. This raises concerns about the company's practices and its impact on the blood trade industry.

Octapharma's Lack of Transparency

The lack of transparency from Octapharma is alarming. Most donors are unaware that their donated blood is sold to pharmaceutical companies for profit. This lack of transparency raises questions about the ethical practices of the industry and whether donors are fully informed about where their blood is going.

Political Connections and Corruption Allegations

Octapharma's political connections and corruption allegations have also come into question. The company has been implicated in a corruption scandal in Brazil, where it is suspected of bribing Ministry of Health officials. These allegations raise concerns about the company's business practices and their impact on the blood trade industry.

The Company's Refusal to Answer Questions

Despite numerous requests, Octapharma has refused to answer important questions about its practices. This lack of response further raises concerns about the company's transparency and accountability. Companies in the blood trade industry must be open and transparent to ensure the safety and well-being of donors and patients.

Unanswered Concerns about the Plasma Trade

Octapharma's refusal to answer questions raises unanswered concerns about the plasma trade. These concerns include the origin of the plasma, the payment for donors, the risks to donor health, and the detection of drugs in the plasma. Without answers to these questions, it is difficult to assess the safety and ethics of the plasma trade.

Conclusion

The blood trade industry has a lasting need for plasma, as it is a valuable component used by pharmaceutical companies to create expensive and profitable drugs. While blood donation is often portrayed as a selfless act, the reality is that most donated blood is sold to private companies. The Red Cross, for example, sells 80,000 litres of plasma to pharmaceutical companies each year, making millions of dollars in profit. This raises concerns about compensation, exploitation, and the health risks faced by donors.

The poor and vulnerable are the groups most affected by the blood trade. In countries like the United States, where compensation for blood donation is allowed, the industry attracts a high-risk population, including those with secrets to hide. Donors may lie about their health to receive payment, putting the safety of the blood supply at risk. Additionally, the high fees offered for blood donation in the USA make it a lucrative option for the poorest individuals, potentially creating a reliance on selling plasma as a source of income.

The blood trade plays a significant role in the global market. The USA is the world's main exporter of human plasma, and European countries rely on imported plasma for the production of drugs. This raises concerns about quality control and the potential for new viruses to slip through and spread, especially in a globalised world where plasma is being traded internationally.