Tissue and cells for patient treatment quotes and endorsements

Quotes and endorsements relevant to the human applications sector.

2006

Professor John Armitage, University of Bristol and Director of Bristol Eye and Heart Valve Banks, said: “Many patients benefit every year from tissue transplants, greatly improving their quality of life and, for some, saving lives. The Human Tissue Authority has worked closely with tissue banks to implement the standards and licensing requirements of the EU Tissues and Cells Directive, whose purpose is to assure the safety and effectiveness of tissue transplants for patients.”

Dr Mark Lowdell, Director of Cellular Therapeutics at the Royal Free and University College Medical School (Hampstead), said: “Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation and associated cellular immunotherapy are now routine procedures in many centres throughout the UK. The implementation of the Tissue and Cells Directive by the HTA has continued to uphold the current standards of best practice in this field whilst minimising the administrative burden. The willingness of the HTA to engage in dialogue and training with this sector facilitated the ongoing development of these standards nationally.”

Ruth Warwick, lead consultant for tissues at the National Blood Service and President of the British Association for Tissue Banking, said:  “The Human Tissue Authority's two briefs with regard to tissues for transplantation – to ensure the highest standards in consent for donation to protect donors and their families and secondly, to ensure safe and efficacious transplants for recipients is being fulfilled by close dialogue with the Professionals working in this important area. Initially the Department of Health established a group of stakeholders to work together to ensure that the developing European regulation was pertinent and able to facilitate safety and sufficiency of tissues for transplant. The HTA then went on to ensure an extensive consultation exercise to ensure their codes of practice relating to consent were pertinent. Current work streams include the provision of training to ensure that tissue and cell banking facilities and their staff are well prepared to meet the needs of the regulation. This collaborative way of working between the regulated sector and the regulators is welcomed by the profession.”