Patients who rely on immunoglobulin (Ig) to treat their condition need sustained and continued access to their Ig therapies. 

Immunodeficiency UK supports the following IPOPI key statement concerning access to immunoglobulin therapies for people with primary immunodeficiency (PID) and secondary immunodeficiency (SID). 

 We want to draw attention to the following, particularly: 

  • Patients with immunodeficiencies must have continuous access to the most appropriate immunoglobulin (Ig) therapy based on individual medical needs, not financial or administrative reasons. 
  • Ig therapies are biological products derived from human plasma. Different manufacturing processes create meaningful differences between products. Because of these differences, patients may react differently to different brands or formulations. 
  • European and international experts agree that Ig products differ and should not automatically be treated as interchangeable. 
  • Treatment decisions should be individualised, involve shared decision-making between doctor and patient and consider patient tolerability and quality of life. 
  • Forcing patients to switch therapies for non-clinical reasons can lead to adverse reactions, anaphylaxis, thrombosis, aseptic meningitis, stroke, seizures, respiratory distress and reduced treatment effectiveness. 
  • Some patients tolerate intravenous Ig (IVIG) better than subcutaneous Ig (SCIG), while others are the opposite. 
  • Inappropriate therapy choices can increase costs because poorly tolerated treatments may lead to extra medications, longer treatments, hospital visits and more complications. 
  • The World Health Organisation includes immunoglobulins on its Essential Medicines Lists for adults and children.  

IPOPI calls on healthcare systems and governments to: 

  • Ensure continuous and equal access to suitable Ig therapies  
  • Provide a wide range of Ig products  
  • Support both IVIG and SCIG options  
  • Allow physicians flexibility in prescribing  Prevent decisions being driven purely by cost-saving measures. 

Posted May 2026