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.”
“Patients with rare diseases and immune disorders rely on plasma-based medicines to stay healthy, but right now, too many are facing rising costs and supply challenges,” said Senator Kelly. “By protecting access to these lifesaving medicines, we’re making sure patients can get the treatments they need affordably and without disruption.”
“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,” said Scott Santarella, President & CEO, Alpha-1 Foundation. “It is vital for our community to have continued access to this life-saving plasma therapy that they receive on a weekly basis.”
Representative Richard Hudson (R-NC) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.
“All Americans impacted by rare diseases deserve to have innovative, high-quality health care,” said Representative Hudson. “My legislation will increase access to plasma medicines for our nation's most vulnerable patients and help save lives.”
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.
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