§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is(a) the volume and value of blood products imported and (b) the percentage of the total blood products supply in the United Kingdom that comes from imports in each year since 1983; and whether any checks are made as to whether such products originate from blood that is sold rather than donated.
§ Mr. FreemanThe information held centrally about the level of imported blood products relates only to factor VIII concentrate and is given in the table.
Blood products imported into the United Kingdom are sourced from both blood that has been donated and purchased. The manufacturing sites of overseas manufacturers of licensed blood products (imported into the United Kingdom) are routinely inspected by or on behalf of the medicines inspectorate of the medicines control agency. One aim of these inspections is to ensure that the blood used is of good quality and is acceptable for use in the manufacture of the products concerned. Furthermore, samples of all commercially imported batches of blood products are routinely submitted to the national institute for biological standards and control for testing to ensure that they conform to laid down standards of quality.
§ Ms. HarmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the list of hospitals that each regional health authority has proposed to become self-governing hospitals.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeRHAs are still receiving and considering expressions of interest from hospitals. They have been asked to submit these to the Department by 31 May.