[Transfusion medicine in unified Europe. Brief report on the status of transfusion medicine in central and east European countries].

Requests of the Council of Europe are harmonization of policies, encouragement of voluntary, unremunerated donation, self-sufficiency and introduction of EC quality standards. Present conditions were evaluated by a study in 11 countries of Eastern and Central Europe. Quality control is usually done according to USSR guidelines. Alarming are decreasing numbers of blood donations of 15% within 2 years. For satisfaction of FVIII needs plasma production has to be increased 3 times. In the countries of Western Europe too self-sufficiency is not yet reached. Strong efforts should be taken in Eastern, Central and also in Western Europe to reach self-sufficiency in the evolving unified Europe.