§ Mr. BoswellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients received liver transplants under the NHS for conditions related to infection with Hepatitis C in each of the last five years; and what the unit cost of such operations was compared with drug therapies. [56335]
§ Jacqui Smith[holding answer 16 May 2002]Liver transplants are only performed on people with Hepatitis C if they have liver failure which is normally due to the development of post hepatitis liver cirrhosis. Each liver transplant cost the National Health Service approximately £66.000 and there is no alternative drug therapy. The number of liver transplant performed in England for Hepatitis C cirrhosis in the last five years is:
Number 1997 54 1998 60 1999 69 2000 56 2001 59