§ Mr. Spenceasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proportion of haemophiliacs is currently being treated with Factor VIII; and what relation this bears to the number of NHS patients for whom the treatment has been sought by their doctors.
§ Dr. OwenFactor VIII in the form of cryoprecipitate can usually be supplied in sufficient quantities to meet the needs of haemophilic patients. I have allocated special finance in order to boost production within the National Health Service of Factor VIII concentrate, which is now the generally preferred form of treatment.
§ Mr. Spenceasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether the treatment of haemophiliac patients with Factor VIII has produced satisfactory results.
§ Mr. Spenceasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what are the present and the prospective sources of supply of Factor VIII; and when she expects that the NHS will be self-sufficient in this medication;
(2) when she expects the supply of Factor VIII to be equal to the demand for it in the NHS.
§ Dr. OwenFactor VIII, mostly in the form of cryoprecipitate and partly as concentrate, is produced within the National Health Service. Supplies of concentrate are also available commercially. I hope that the National Health Service can become self-sufficient in the production of all forms of Factor VIII within two or three years.
§ Mr. Spenceasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the annual cost to the NHS of Factor VIII currently being prescribed.
§ Dr. OwenHealth authorities spent £500,000 between November 1973 and 281W March 1975 on the purchase from commercial firms of imported Factor VIII concentrate. Factor VIII produced within the National Health Service is not separately costed.