RTÉ News has established that a group of 20 haemophiliacs infected with HIV from blood products are taking legal action against five international drugs firms. Earlier this month, a group of 59 haemophiliacs settled a lengthy legal action with the same drug firms for £5.3 million. Now a new group has initiated separate litigation.
Two weeks ago, RTÉ News revealed that a ten year battle undertaken by a group of haemophiliacs against five drug firms had been concluded. The firms, including Armour Pharmaceuticals, Baxter Healthcare and the Bayer Group, did not admit liability but paid out £4 million in damages and £1.3 million in legal costs. One person who was initially party to the litigation chose not to accept the terms.
Now RTÉ News has established that 20 other haemophiliacs infected with HIV have initiated new legal action. In today's Legal Directory, five adults and one child are listed to be heard before Mr Justice Peter Kelly shortly. The drug firms involved have confirmed to RTÉ News that this is ongoing litigation and that the listed proceedings regard a procedural issue.
A spokesperson for Malcomson Law Solicitors confirmed to RTÉ News that their company was handling the new litigation, but declined to comment any further. It is therefore currently unclear as to why these new cases are being taken now rather than included in the other action.
The role of international drugs firms comes before the Lindsay Tribunal tomorrow when the Irish Haemophilia Society will apply for its lawyers to investigate them in detail. Ninty-eight of the 105 Irish haemophiliacs infected with HIV from blood products are thought to have gotten the virus from commercial imports.
Meanwhile, the Department of Health has confirmed its officials will meet the Haemophilia Society next Thursday about how the State will compensate haemophiliacs who contracted HIV from blood products.
