New developments in biological standardisation: commentary on the poster session on advances in transfusion safety.

The 21 presentations have been arranged into two broad inter-related groups: (i) Quality of therapeutic preparations and studies on viral/bacterial inactivation procedures. (ii) Diagnostic assays for viral safety and quality control of blood components. Furthermore, in line with the main theme of this symposium, I have attempted to provide an overview of pertinent continuing investigation of blood component safety and supply, the "twin pillars" of transfusion therapy, focusing on the three pointers (3Ps) of the quality system-patient, process and product.