Tillis, Kelly Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Increase Access to Plasma-Based Medicines

Jul 24 2024

Tillis, Kelly Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Increase Access to Plasma-Based Medicines

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) introduced the bipartisan Preserving Life-saving Access to Specialty Medicines in America (PLASMA) Act, legislation to ensure individuals with rare diseases and immunodeficiencies have access to necessary plasma-based medicines.

"It is critical patients with rare diseases and immunodeficiencies have uninterrupted access to the life-saving plasma-based medicines they need," said Senator Tillis. "This commonsense legislation increases access to these innovative medications and ensures they remain affordable for the thousands of Americas who rely on them."

"Ensuring that individuals with rare diseases and immunodeficiencies have access to life-saving plasma-based medicines is not just a health care issue, it's a matter of life and death," said Senator Kelly. "The PLASMA Act is crucial to keep treatments accessible and affordable for thousands of Americans. I will continue working across the aisle to support plasma donation and guarantee that no patient faces a disruption in their treatment."

"The Alpha-1 Foundation is proud to endorse The PLASMA Act in support of patients with rare diseases, like Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency and immunodeficiencies to have access to necessary plasma-based medicines. It is vital for our community to have continued access to this life-saving plasma therapy that they receive on a weekly basis," said Scott Santarella, President & CEO, Alpha-1 Foundation.<_o3a_p>

"The GBS/CIDP Foundation International proudly supports the PLASMA Act and all policies that promote patient access to plasma medicines,"said Lisa Butler, Executive Director, GBS/CIDP Foundation International "Many patients with rare and chronic conditions like Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) and Multifocal Motor Neuropathy (MMN) require reliable access to plasma medicines multiple times per month and any disruption can have devastating effects. Introducing the PLASMA Act is a significant step forward toward ensuring continued access to life-saving plasma medicines into the future."<_o3a_p>

Background:

North Carolina is home to one of the world's largest plasma production facilities and more than 30 plasma donor centers across the state, which provide life-saving measures for thousands of Americans.

The PLASMA Act would include plasma-derived medicines in a phase-in process for the Part D redesign the Inflation Reduction Act already has in place for other drugs Congress recognized as unique. Beginning in 2031, manufacturers would pay the full rebate amount following annual rebate increases, protecting vulnerable beneficiaries' supply of plasma-derived medicines and avoiding skyrocketing costs for patients.

In the United States, over 125,000 patients living with rare and life-threatening diseases rely on sustained access to plasma derived medicinal products to treat their lifelong health conditions. These rare and chronic diseases include Primary Immunodeficiencies, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy, and Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency; for most patients there are no effective, alternative therapies available.

The PLASMA Act is endorsed by top national and international health organizations, including the Immune Deficiency Foundation, Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association, Alpha-1 Foundation, and GBS | CIDP Foundation International.

Full text of the legislation is available HERE.

###

https://www.tillis.senate.gov/2024/7/tillis-kelly-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-to-increase-access-to-plasma-based-medicines