News

17th December 2002

Blood Safety

A new EU law could restore long term public confidence in blood supplies amid concerns over the risk of CJD contamination.

The proposal, to be voted on by MEPs in Strasbourg on 18th December, sets standards of quality and safety for the collection, testing, processing, storage and distribution of human blood. It also includes the requirement that donors must be examined by qualified health professionals. The directive aims to increase public confidence in the safety of blood and blood products.

The EU proposal follows reports that the UK Government has bought an American blood plasma company to ensure that British patients have access to safe blood. It emerged in August that the risk of CJD being transmitted through blood transfusions might be considerably higher than previously thought.

John Bowis MEP, Conservative Spokesman on Health in the European Parliament, said:

"Patients in the UK need to know that the blood that they are getting is both safe and secure.

"This proposal will go some way to ensuring a safe supply of blood across the European Union, and to restoring public confidence in this vital service."