The lessons learnt from the COVID-19 crisis and the upcoming revision of the EU’s legislative framework on blood, tissues, and cells offer a window of opportunity to rethink blood sustainability in Europe.
The coronavirus pandemic has put blood reserves under pressure as donors were sometimes forced to stay home, highlighting how important it is to think outside the box in ensuring a safe blood supply.
In this series of articles, EURACTIV investigates how the forthcoming review of the key EU rules on blood can address the main problems in the supply, exposed by the pandemic.
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Focus on optimal use is key to not waste blood in ‘vein’, say experts
Health experts and European lawmakers suggest that new approaches to blood use could have 'healing' effects on the EU's blood supply recently put under additional pressure due to the COVID pandemic.
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Why the EU should boost Patient Blood Management implementation in Europe and align EU legislation with WHO guidance
There are many reasons for the EU to take a greater role in preserving blood – including one’s blood - to improve patients’ lives. The window of opportunity is here to support EU countries improve health systems, policies and practices …
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Patient blood management should not be overlooked in EU’s blood revision, says stakeholder
Public blood management could be a way to address blood shortages as only a third of patients receive enough transfusions, according to a health expert who also expressed concerns about the forthcoming revision of the EU legislation on the topic.