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Recommendation 985 (1984)
Supply and utilisation of human blood and blood products
The Assembly,
1. Considering that there is an increasing demand for blood, blood components and, especially, plasma derivatives ;
2. Considering that in many European countries blood transfusion services are unable to meet national needs, especially as regards plasma, because of the lack of efficient procurement programmes and the inadequacy of fractionation facilities ;
3. Believing that all wastage should be avoided through optimum utilisation of blood ;
4. Noting that needs, especially as regards certain plasma derivatives, are being met from commercial sources which resort, mainly in non-European countries, to intensive plasmapheresis of remunerated donors, a practice incompatible with respect for the human person and ethical principles ;
5. Conscious that divergences between neighbouring countries' laws regarding the remuneration of blood donations are liable to induce donors to participate in more than one national programme, and thus evade supervision of the frequency of their donations, which is essential for their own safety ;
6. Concerned, on the one hand, at the dangers that such practices entail both for donors and for recipients, and, on the other, at the obstacles they place in the way of further development of national blood services based on voluntary donations, thus resulting in a shortage which might prove hazardous in times of war, epidemics and natural disasters ;
7. Having regard to the World Health Assembly's Resolution No. 28.72, on the utilisation and supply of human blood and blood products, and to the resolution adopted at the 22nd International Conference of the Red Cross, which both lay down the principle of voluntary donation of blood, and to the Code of Ethics for Blood Donation and Transfusion, prepared by the International Society of Blood Transfusion,
8. Recommends that the Committee of Ministers instruct its appropriate steering committee to draw up guidelines for a European policy in the matter, aimed at the following objectives :
8.1. Achievement of self-sufficiency in blood and blood products through voluntary donations, by means of :
8.1.1. an evaluation of needs and resources in the various member countries ;
8.1.2. a study of existing legislation ;
8.1.3. a study of means, methods and techniques in the various member countries ;
8.1.4. the setting of medium and long-term goals ;
8.1.5. the informing, educating and motivating of the public as regards the importance of regular voluntary blood donations, through national campaigns, as well as, possibly, a common European campaign in the form of a European "day" or a European "prize" ;
8.1.6. support given to associations and voluntary organisations ;
8.2. Reduction of wastage through :
8.2.1. more frequent use of blood products as an alternative to whole blood, except where this is technically unfeasible ;
8.2.2. the adoption of indicators for measuring the efficiency of infrastructures, and the optimum use of blood and blood derivatives ;
8.2.3. the provision of appropriate technical facilities for blood transfusion services, particularly for the purpose of plasma fractionation, as well as the synchronisation of supplies and research at European level in order to avoid duplication ;
8.3. Improvement of the protection of donors and recipients through :
8.3.1. the continuation and development of Council of Europe programmes on blood transfusion, immunohaematology (immunity system of blood) and histocompatibility standards (determination of tissue groups permitting organ transplantation) ;
8.3.2. assistance to Third World countries for the attainment of the same self-sufficiency objectives ;
8.3.3. improved international circulation of surplus products, both in Europe and elsewhere ;
8.3.4. the gradual abandonment of the commercialisation of blood and blood products, through accession to an international code or agreement laying down the principle of non-remuneration of donations as well as the establishment of precise criteria for ensuring the safety of donors and recipients.