NHS patients around the country are now receiving a lifesaving medicine made from the plasma of blood donors in Somerset.

This historic milestone marks the first time in a quarter of a century plasma is being used to make life-saving medicines for NHS patients, reducing reliance on imports.

These lifesaving medicines can only be made from human blood. Plasma makes up 55 per cent of our blood and contains antibodies which strengthen or stabilise the immune system.

The antibodies are separated out and made into medicines which treat people with life limiting illnesses such as immune deficiencies.

Over the past three years, plasma from blood donors in Somerset and across England has been stored up, and it has now been made into medicines through a weeks long manufacturing process.