Brussels, 09/12/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 8 December, the European Commission finally adopted the draft directive and action plan relating to organ transplants on which it has been working for over a year (EUROPE 9609). For organ donation and transplants in the European Union, the directive provides a clear legal framework which, in practice, should lead to the creation or the designation in each member state of a relevant national authority responsible for ensuring respect of Community norms on quality and safety. These norms and standards include the establishment of a system for the traceability of human organs and a system for notification of serious undesirable reactions and events. With a view to facilitating the exchange of human organs, the collection of data relating to the characteristics of organs will be standardised. Finally, national quality programmes will make it possible to ensure constant monitoring of performance and results, thus improving procedures and knowledge.
The 6-year action plan (2009-2015) comprises ten priority actions intended to raise the three main challenges in the field of organ donation and transplant in Europe. These are to: - improve the quality and safety of organs in Europe, increase the availability of organs, and make transplant systems more accessible and effective. This plan of action aims to encourage joint initiatives and facilitate coordination between member states. Such objectives will be reached using different mechanisms such as the exchange of good practices or the conclusion of agreements on specific themes across the whole of the European Union. By way of example, with regard to organ donation, priority action bears upon improving the knowledge and communication skills of health professionals and patient support organisations. The exchange of experience on setting transplant coordinators in place to increase organ availability constitutes another field of fundamental action.
In a press release, the Commission points out that, for many patients, organ transplant is the only treatment available for their survival. In the European Union, 56,000 patients currently await a compatible donor. It is estimated that 12 patients die each day waiting for a transplant.
The directive and the action plan may be consulted at the following address: http: //ec.europa.eu/health/ph_threats/human_substance/organs_en.htm. (O.J./transl.jl)