The Lindsay Tribunal has heard how the Blood Transfusion Service continued to import a commercial clotting agent for haemophiliacs in 1988 which the company wanted to withdraw. The company, Armour, wrote to Pelican House requesting that the BTS accept total indemnity should it continue to use it, and demanded that its name or logo would not appear on the bottles. The Lindsay Tribunal is currently investigating into the actions of the Blood Transfusion Service in relation to the infection of haemophiliacs with HIV and Hepatitis C.
Senior Counsel for the Tribunal, John Finlay, has begun to investigate the period from 1985 and 1990 and the efforts of the BTS to eliminate Hepatitis C from clotting agents. The virus, which was then known as non-a non-b hepatitis, was evident in clotting agents used by haemophiliacs, and it was beginning to become known that it was causing severe liver problems. Dr Emer Lawlor, Deputy Medical Director of the BTS, said that it was difficult to identify donors with non-a non-b hepatitis as the indicators could also be as a result of alcohol or stress.
In 1987, the blood company Armour wrote to the BTS explaining that it was brining out a clotting agent which it felt reduced the risks of infection. In January 1988, it wrote to Pelican House stating that it was discontinuing production of the old clotting agent and focusing solely on its new brand. The letter stated that if the BTS wished to continue using the old brand, it would have to sign a letter which would indemnify Armour, its Directors, Agents, employees and third parties. It also demanded that the name Armour or the company's logo would not appear on the bottle. Dr Lawlor stated that treating doctors at the time felt Armour's decision to change product was more commercial rather than anything else as the price per unit was much higher.
The Tribunal also heard how BTS employees were informed in 1986 that a system of producing clotting agents in London was eliminating Hepatitis infections, however the BTS never inquired further.
