Promoting better blood health through the systematic implementation of Patient Blood Management (PBM)

Question for written answer E-002495/2024
to the Commission
Rule 144
Tomislav Sokol (PPE)

Good blood health is a vital component of our health. However, it is not sufficiently acknowledged or prioritised. The public health and economic burden of iron deficiency, anaemia, blood loss and coagulopathy are greatly underestimated and there is an urgent need for more action to improve blood health across Europe. The leading cause of poor blood health is anaemia, which is estimated to affect 28 million EU citizens, although it can be largely preventable and manageable.

The adoption of the EU's SoHO Regulation[1] was an important step towards improving blood health, but systematic implementation of PBM, which the World Health Organization (WHO) endorses and urges countries to implement, is vital. Better blood health through systematic PBM implementation would improve patient outcomes and safety, reduce healthcare costs and strengthen health system resilience.

Further to PBM Awareness Week, which took place from 4-8 November:

• 1.How is the Commission planning to promote and improve blood health and to incorporate the concept into its disease area priorities?
• 2.How does the Commission intend to support Member States in implementing PBM in the context of the SoHO Regulation?
• 3.What action is the Commission planning to take given the forthcoming new WHO guidance on PBM implementation?

Submitted: 11.11.2024

• [1] Regulation (EU) 2024/1938 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2024 on standards of quality and safety for substances of human origin intended for human application and repealing Directives 2002/98/EC and 2004/23/EC, OJ L, 2024/1938, 17.7.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1938/oj.