PUBLIC HEALTH : COMMISSION SATISFIED WITH IMPLEMENTATION OF BLOOD DIRECTIVE'.

The implementation of legislative provisions governing quality and safety standards for blood and blood components throughout the transfusion procedure' has proven to be satisfactory in the EU, according to the European Commission. In a communication adopted on 19 January, it evaluates the situation with regard to the implementation of Directive 2002/98/EC(1), which concerns the collection, use and testing of human blood and blood components, whatever the intended purpose. The text also applies to its preparation, storage and distribution, when intended for transfusion. It establishes an obligatory system for inspection and for the exchange of information designed to facilitate the identification and rapid communication of emerging risks in the blood sector, as well as the withdrawal of possibly contaminated batches of blood.

The Commission indicates that all member states have appointed a competent authority responsible for implementing the requirements of the directive. With regard to haemovigilance, it notes that all countries, except Cyprus and Bulgaria, have a system in place for notifying serious adverse events and reactions to the competent authority or delegated body. National authorities are required to ensure that blood transfusion establishments implement a system making it possible to identify each blood donation, and each unit of blood and blood components originating from it.

The communication is available at www.europolitics.info > Search = 265920

The draft report is...