China's Heavy Dependence on U.S. Plasma Raises Concerns

Washington DC, United States Aug 23, 2026 ALN: As she watched the pale yellow liquid drip into her mother’s vein, Ge Lan felt the weight of every drop. Her mother, recovering from stomach cancer surgery, relied on daily infusions of human albumin to restore her blood protein levels. At about $46 for a 10-gram bottle, the imported blood product was the costliest medicine in her mother’s treatment. “I just hope (she) gets better soon,” the 44-year-old told CNN. “I’m worried about the money too, but I have no choice.”

Over two months, her mother used 72 bottles, costing the equivalent of seven months’ income for Ge, a local store worker in Henan, central China. Without help from her sister, she said she simply couldn’t have afforded the treatment – and without it, her mother’s condition could worsen.

China is the world’s biggest consumer of human albumin, the most abundant protein in plasma, which is widely used in care for critical trauma such as burns, and restoring blood protein levels from chronic conditions, like liver diseases. This reliance on human albumin underscores not only the importance of this product in medical treatments but also the vulnerabilities associated with its supply chain.

Historically, China has faced significant challenges in domestic plasma collection. The country has long suffered a domestic shortfall largely due to strict rules on plasma collection—a legacy of an HIV infection scandal in the 1990s that severely damaged public trust in the safety of blood products. This scandal led to stringent regulations and a cautious approach to plasma donation, resulting in a shortage that has persisted for decades. As a result, China remains heavily reliant on plasma from its biggest geopolitical rival, the United States, for much of its human albumin supply.

The U.S. supplies about 70% of global plasma and is one of the few countries that pays donors. Every year, millions of Americans offer up their arms to cover everyday costs—people like 25-year-old Sky Tucker. “While I do know it could save a life, most of the time, I’m just worried about if I’m gonna get my next meal or if I can feed my cats,” said the community college student who sold plasma twice a week for seven years to help make ends meet. This highlights a complex ethical dimension to the donation process, where financial necessity drives many individuals to participate in plasma donation, raising questions about the commodification of human biological materials.

More than 60% of China’s albumin market is supplied by foreign manufacturers, and all of it is made from plasma collected in the U.S., according to a 2024 study co-authored by researchers from China’s national and Zhejiang drug inspection authorities. This statistic reveals the extent of China’s dependence on American plasma, illustrating how intertwined the two nations are in this critical aspect of healthcare. However, this reliance carries growing risks for Chinese patients. Researchers warned that China’s domestic plasma shortfall could leave patients vulnerable to drug shortages and price spikes if U.S.-dominated supply flows are disrupted by geopolitical tensions or global health emergencies, like the Covid-19 pandemic.

The implications of such a dependency are profound. In recent years, geopolitical relations between China and the U.S. have become increasingly strained, with trade wars, technological rivalries, and military tensions complicating the landscape. Any disruption in the supply chain could lead to significant challenges for patients in China who depend on these life-saving treatments. This situation underscores the critical need for China to bolster its domestic plasma collection capabilities to ensure a stable and secure supply of human albumin.

Beijing appears increasingly aware of that vulnerability. “That’s why they wanted to enhance the capacity of collecting the plasma in the Chinese market,” said Xi Chen, associate professor of Public Health at Yale University. The Chinese government has made strides in addressing this issue by opening dozens of new licensed plasma collection centers in 2023. This initiative not only aims to increase the volume of domestically collected plasma but also to rebuild public trust in the safety of blood products in the aftermath of past scandals.

In addition to opening new collection centers, China has also cleared its first rice-based albumin for market last July, as part of a broader push to reduce reliance on American plasma. This innovation signifies a potential shift in the sourcing of albumin, providing an alternative that could alleviate some of the pressure on the existing supply chain. By diversifying the sources of human albumin, China could mitigate risks associated with geopolitical tensions and improve the overall resilience of its healthcare system.

The drive to enhance domestic plasma collection and explore alternative sources of albumin is not just a matter of economic independence; it is also a crucial public health strategy. Ensuring a stable supply of essential medical products like human albumin is vital for the treatment of a wide range of conditions, from trauma care to chronic diseases. As China continues to navigate the complexities of its healthcare needs amid global uncertainties, the steps taken to bolster its plasma collection capabilities will be closely watched by both domestic and international observers.

In conclusion, the heavy dependence of China on U.S. plasma raises significant concerns regarding the stability and security of its healthcare supply chain. The ongoing efforts to enhance domestic plasma collection and explore alternative sources of human albumin represent a critical response to these challenges. As the global landscape continues to evolve, the implications of these developments will be felt not only within China but also in the broader context of international health and trade relations.