HC Deb 26 February 1975 vol 887 cc144-6W
Mr. Madden

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many United Kingdom residents suffer from haemophilia; if she will give the number, on an annual basis, over the last three years and the number estimated to undergo regular home treatment.

Dr. Owen

The number of patients suffering from haemophilia in Great Britain is estimated to be approximately 3,000. A small proportion undergo regular home treatment.

Mr. Madden

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what arrangements, including the provision of money, are being made by regional health authorities to secure supplies of the Factor VIII concentrate, used to supplement supplies made available by the blood transfusion service, in the treatment of haemophilia;

(2) what financial resources has each regional health authority for securing supplies of Factor VIII concentrate which are privately produced.

Dr. Owen

My Department has negotiated arrangements under which Factor VIII may be bought from certain commercial firms in the normal way by health authorities. They will decide on the proportion of their financial allocation to be devoted to this purpose, having regard to the other claims on their resources.

Mr. Madden

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what contact there has been getween the Department and private manufacturers on the amount of Factor VIII concentrate to be bought by regional health authorities.

Dr. Owen

There are at present two suppliers which have received product licences for Factor VIII. The Department has arranged annual running contracts with these firms, and it is from them that haemophilia centres order their requirements. One contractor obtains supplies from America and the other from Austria.

Two other firms have applied or are applying for product licences.

Mr. Madden

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is being done to increase the amount of the Factor VIII drug produced by the blood transfusion service known as cryoprecipitate.

Dr. Owen

As I told my hon. Friend the Member for Islington, South and Finsbury (Mr. Cunningham) on 22nd January, I have authorised the allocation of special finance of up to £500,000, about half of which would be recurring, to increase the existing production of Factor VIII within the National Health Service. The first effect of this will, I hope, be felt by the end of the year.

At present, part of the demand for AHG concentrate is being met by imported material, but this is very expensive and, for reasons which I well understand, health authorities feel that they cannot afford to buy as much as they would wish to, given the various claims on their resources.

I believe that it is vitally important that the National Health Service should be come self-sufficient as soon as practicable in the production of Factor VIII, including AHG concentrate. This will stop our being dependent on imports and make the best known treatment more readily available to people suffering from haemophilia.—[Vol. 884, c. 392–3.]

Mr. Madden

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations have been made to her Department about the availability of Factor VIII, produced by the Blood Transfusion Service and private manufacturers.

Dr. Owen

Representations have been received from hon. Members on behalf of their constituents, and from several directors of haemophilia centres.