"By the end of this year we expect the demand for blood to have fallen by about 20% compared to its peak, back in 2000. This is good news for the patient as it means blood is being used more appropriately. But it is bad news for the price of blood."

Comment is also made on the loss of blood donors, including a high number of previously regular donors; some 22% total decrease in the number of donors in the same period of time, causing requests to be made for more donations from individual donors.
In addition to the above, UK plasma is no longer acceptable for use due to the risk of vCJD, so plasma must be bought from the US, adding to the cost of processing and leading to financial losses for this part of the UK Blood & Transplant Service.

"NHS - Blood and Transplant" May 2006