People needing organ transplants should face shorter waiting times after the European Parliament today approved a draft directive on quality and safety standards for human organs used for transplants. The directive covers all stages of the chain from donation to transplantation and provides for cooperation between Member States. MEPs also adopted a resolution on an Action Plan for organ donation.
Over the past 50 years organ transplants have become an established practice worldwide. Yet the queues are long - about 60,000 patients are now on waiting lists in the EU - and every day 12 people die while on a list the EU said.
The need had been felt for quality and safety standardsat EU level to facilitate the donation, transplantation and exchange of organs.
Parliament today voted by 643 votes to 16 with 8 abstentions to endorse a directive laying down such standards.
Guaranteeing quality and safety
A key step is to designate the competent authority in each country responsible for quality and safety standards. These authorities will have to establish rules for all stages from donation to transplantation or disposal, based on the standards laid down in the directive. Member States can keep or introduce more stringent rules if they wish.
The authorities will approve procurement organisations and transplant centres, set up reporting and management systems for serious adverse reactions, collect data on the outcome of transplants and supervise organ swaps with other Member States and third countries. Traceability from donor to patient and vice-versa will be part of the system, while confidentiality and data security will be ensured.
Living donors and fighting organ trafficking
Member States must ensure the "the highest possible protection of living donors," the Parliament said. Organ donations must be "voluntary and unpaid" but living donors may receive compensation "provided it is strictly limited to making good the expenses and loss of incomes related to the donation". Member States must ban any advertising of a need for, or availability of, human organs where the aim is financial gain.
Cooperation between Member States
To ease cooperation, the Commission will set up a network of authorities and lay down procedures to transmit information between Member States. Governments may also set up agreements with European organ exchange organisations.
Member States will have to transpose the directive within two years of its entry into force.
John Dalli's reaction
Health Commissioner John Dalli welcomed the decision.
"Organ transplant is a life-saving operation and often the only available treatment for end-stage organ failure. Common standards across Europe will ensure the highest level of quality and safety of organs while ensuring that all donations must be voluntary and unpaid. This is key to ensure that European citizens that need an organ transplant can benefit from the best possible quality and safety conditions," he said in a statement.
"This is a concrete example of how EU legislation can work to save lives and foster create solidarity in Europe. I look forward to a swift implementation of this text by the Member States".