Blood Bank.

National Plasma Fractionation Centre (N.P.F.C.)

The NPFC was established in 1988-1989 to fulfill a long-felt need for safe plasma products in India. It is located in the premises of the K.E.M. Hospital and is functionally linked very closely to the K.E.M. Blood Bank, for optimal utilisation of blood. It was established as an autonomous unit governed by a trust "Research Foundation for National Blood Transfusion Services" with the funds provided by the Swedish International Development Agency and with the assistance from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and the Govt. Of India.

At present the NPFC manufactures Albumin 5% and 20%, Immunoglobulin G for I.M. & I.V. use, and Factor IX complex concentrate and plans for future fractions include Factor VIII concentrate and Fibrin glue. The plant can manufacture upto 10,000 litres of plasma annually.

The raw material i.e. plasma collected from voluntary donors is supplied by the K.E.M. Blood Bank and also several other voluntary donor blood banks. Each unit of plasma is individually screened for anti-HIV 1 & 2, HBsAg and VDRL. In addition, special virus-inactivation methods are used to ensure safety of the products. Every step of all the procedures are in compliance with Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMP) and the final product undergoes strict quality control before its release for human use. In order to ensure tht the products meet international standards, random quality checks of batches are performed in advanced fractionation centres abroad.

What are plasma fractions

Plasma, the fluid portion of blood, is composed of several different proteins which carry out various physiological functions. When any of these proteins become deficient in certain diseases, they need to be replaced. In the past plasma was the only source of this proteins, however its use could be associated with side-effects and also results in waste of proteins with are not necessary for that particular patient. This can now be avoided by plasma fractionation which is a process whereby important plasma proteins can be separated in a purified and concentrated form for effective treatment.

Albumin is used in the treatment of patients with burns, liver and kidney diseases, oedema, shock due to loss of body fluids, etc. Immunoglobulins are used in the treatment of patients with antibody deficiencies, in Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and for the prevention or modification of viral infections e.g. hepatitis, measles etc. Factor IX complex concentrate is used to control bleeding of patients with deficiencies of coagulation factors IX, II, VII & X.

Home | College | Hospital | Alumni | Contact | Departments | Search | Blood Bank