Recommendation IBI-9e: Recombinant Products Over Plasma-Derived
From Infected Blood Inquiry Final Report, published 20 May 2024.
Recommendation
Recombinant coagulation factor products should be offered in place of plasma-derived ones where clinically appropriate. Service commissioners should ensure that such treatment decisions are funded accordingly.
In brief (written by this site)
In April 2026, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Dr Zubir Ahmed stated that all conditions with non-plasma alternatives are now addressed by commissioning policies or funding agreements, though funding required to implement a clinical policy for recombinant Von Willebrand factor prophylaxis across all ages has not yet been identified (Dr Zubir Ahmed, Apr 2026). The UK Government previously reported in May 2025 that NHS England had commenced funding recombinant Von Willebrand factor for managing bleeding episodes and surgical pre-treatment in August 2024 (Cabinet Office response, May 2025).
AI-generated summary of the record on this page, checked by a second model and automatic checks, 26 Sep 2026. The record below is the sources' own words.
About this summary
This recommendation applies across many organisations. The record reflects central policy activity; adoption in individual organisations may vary.
Government response
Recommendation 9e: NHS England, working with clinical advisors, has reviewed the existing gaps in the availability of recombinant factors, and other blood product alternatives, and is currently developing clinical commissioning policies for these indications. As a rapid response to this recommendation, in August 2024, NHS England commenced funding recombinant Von Willebrand factor (VWF), for all patient age groups, to manage bleeding episodes and surgical pre-treatment (but not regular prophylaxis). Further clinical policy work, which includes reviewing the clinical evidence base, cost effectiveness and service implementation factors, is required relating to the use of recombinant products for prophylaxis. Work is currently underway on the following: Recombinant VWF: currently licensed for prophylaxis in adults (regular treatment for those with the severest bleeding) but not currently commissioned for this indication. Emicizumab as prophylaxis in people with moderate congenital haemophilia A without factor VIII inhibitors. Funding will be required to implement these clinical policies, and this has not yet been identified.
Delivery
Department of Health and Social Care says in progress (16 April 2026)
In response to 9e, all diseases or conditions where a non-plasma treatment exists to replace a plasma/blood-derived treatment are now addressed by commissioning policies or funding agreements. There are some specific regimens which are subject to ongoing clinical policy development but in each case there are alternative regimens or treatment approaches which negate the use of plasma-derived medicines. Of particular interest to the clinical and patient community is the development of a clinical commissioning policy for recombinant Von Willebrand factor, which is currently licensed for prophylaxis in adults, as regular treatment for those with the severest bleeding, but which is not currently commissioned for this indication. Funding will be required to implement this clinical policy for all ages, and this has not yet been identified.
From: Infected Blood Inquiry (written question 124052), Dr Zubir Ahmed
Responsible bodies
Themes and tags
Who has spoken
- UK Government
Response - Department of Health and Social Care
Delivery statement