This week, the Danish Medicines Agency is hosting an international conference that brings together specialists who carry out inspections of the use of human blood, tissues and cells at hospitals and in the pharmaceutical industry.
Some 50 inspectors from 27 countries are expected to participate in this cooperation which cuts across traditional boundaries. Besides colleagues from the EU, the six Danish participants will have an opportunity to meet with other experts from Canada, the USA, Singapore, Australia and other countries.
”The rules that we follow come from the EU, and for this very reason it is rewarding that we can compare our experience with so many colleagues. Not only will we be listening to the many experts speaking at the conference, we will also learn from each other and train one another – and everyone must join in,” explains Head of Department Annette Byrholt Hansen, who co-organises the conference.
”The aim is to develop common tools, including checklists for our laboratory inspections. This is truly an area that is undergoing major development, and a number of the most advanced therapies are based on the use of precisely tissues," she continues.
In this context, tissues and cells mean for example skin, corneas, bones, bone products and all types of stem cells used in the treatment of human beings. In a number of countries, including Denmark, fertility clinics that offer artificial insemination are subject to these inspections.
In the factbox to the right, please find a link to the register of authorised tissue establishments in Denmark (list is in Danish only).
For further information,
please contact Anne-Marie Vangsted, Senior Director of the Medicines Control Division, tel. +45 4488 9315 or mobile +45 2211 3356.
