The Department of Health, over a two-year period in the late 1980s, refused to authorise the introduction of a test that could have reduced the number of haemophiliacs infected with Hepatitis C. The disclosure was made today at the Lindsay Tribunal, which is currently examining what actions the Blood Transfusion Service took to protect haemophiliacs from infection by blood products.
In the early 1980's, no test had yet been established to identify the presence of Hepatitis C, then only known as non-A non-B hepatitis. However, there were, what are called, substitute tests that detect a risk that hepatitis C might have been present. Dr Emer Lawlor, Deputy Medical Director of the BTS, told the Tribunal that substitute testing was introduced in the United States in 1986 and, following a pilot test, Pelican House decided to follow suit the following year.
The Blood Transfusion Service required departmental approval to introduce the test, as it would have a cost of around a quarter of a million pounds each year. The first letter went to the Department on 16 July 1987. However, despite numerous letters of clarification, no authorisation was forthcoming two years on. The dangers of viral infection were clear in 1987, haemophiliacs were already beginning to die from being infected with HIV from blood products and Hepatitis C was known to damage the liver.
In 1989, a test for hepatitis came on the market and the BTS requested departmental approval to introduce it, a move that would have meant a 12% increase in the price the BTS charged hospitals for its products. Dr Lawlor told the Tribunal that it should have been introduced, but it was not.
