Umbilical cord blood methods development workshop

On 12 December 2007 the HTA held a workshop which brought together key stakeholders from the umbilical cord blood sector to discuss issues arising from the implementation of the Human Tissue (Quality and Safety for Human Application) Regulations 2007 (the ‘Regulations’).

Event date: 12 December 2007

Event details

The workshop focused on procurement, which became a licensable activity with the implementations of the Regulations on 5 July 2007. Representatives of various commercial and non-commercial establishments involved in licensable activities were invited, as well as representatives from relevant professional bodies.

Presentations were given on the role of the HTA and the implications of the Regulations. Participants were then asked to discuss a set of four questions in small groups, relating to the licensing of procurement of cord blood. At the conclusion of the meeting the feedback from the groups was presented and discussed with all participants.

The topics discussed included:

• Proportionate approaches in regulating procurement organisations.
• Identifying what licensing standards should be applied to procurement organisations.
• The information currently available to expectant parents.
• General issues surrounding cord blood procurement, including who is procuring and the circumstances of procurement.

Outcomes

Participants had the opportunity to meet with other stakeholders in the sector, and discuss issues that they felt are important in relation to the new Regulations. It was a welcome opportunity for the HTA to gather the views of its stakeholders on the new Regulations and to reassure them of the HTA’s proportionate approach to regulation.
 
It was recognised that the licensing of procurement organisations will represent a challenge for all affected. However, some participants felt that the current variability in approaches was undesirable, and that regulation could improve the situation by providing an impetus for streamlining the training of the procurers, the procurement procedure and the information provided to parents. The discussion groups further helped to highlight areas of the current licensing standards that may not be required by licensing procurement organisations, and provided clarity about the situations to which the current standards would apply.

The HTA is currently reviewing the information gathered during the discussion of the topics and will use this as a point of reference when developing its policies and procedures for licensing organisations procuring for human application. One suggestion made by participants was to tailor the application for procurement licences with a view to easing the burden on applicants. The HTA is currently considering if and how this proposal could be implemented in practice.

The outcome and responses to all the issues discussed will be communicated to the sector.

Contact information

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