Ukraine and Lithuania join forces in developing blood system: meeting within the Twinning project

On 19-20 January 2026 working meetings were held between representatives of the State Service of Ukraine on Medicines and Drugs Control and the director of the National Blood Center of the Republic of Lithuania as part of the international Twinning project.

The event marked an important stage in the development of institutional cooperation between Ukraine and Lithuania in the field of regulating the activities of blood system entities and implementing European approaches to ensuring the safety and quality of donated blood and its components.

During the meetings, the parties conducted a detailed comparative analysis of the Ukrainian and Lithuanian blood system models, in particular with regard to:

• state regulation and supervision;
• licensing of blood system entities;
• organization of quality control and safety of donated blood;
• functioning of national blood centers.

Special attention was given to the regulatory and legal framework for the blood system. Experts from the State Service of Ukraine on Medicines and Drugs Control and the National Blood Center of the Republic of Lithuania reviewed the current legislation and regulations of both countries, discussed mechanisms for their practical application, and their compliance with modern European requirements.

The Twinning project is one of the key instruments for bringing the Ukrainian regulatory system closer to European Union standards. The meeting confirmed the high level of partnership between Ukraine and Lithuania and laid the basis for further harmonization of Ukrainian legislation and practices in the field of blood with European requirements.

The State Service of Ukraine on Medicines and Drugs Control will continue to work consistently on developing the modern, safe, and transparent blood system in Ukraine, using best European practices and expert support from international partners.