§ Mr. BerryTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what estimate he has made of the number of people with haemophilia infected with hepatitis C by contaminated blood products who are now suffering(a) chronic liver disease and (b) other significant health problems as a result of their infection; [80909]
(2) what estimates he has made of the number of people with haemophilia who were infected with hepatitis C as a result of their NHS treatment before 1986 and the number of these who are alive today. [80908]
§ Mr. HuttonWe estimate that 4,000 people with haemophilia were infected with hepatitis C through their National Health Service treatment with blood products before the introduction of viral inactivation processes in 1985. The Haemophilia Society assesses that more than ninety patients have died. We do not have information on the number of people with chronic liver disease or other significant health problems, but all identified cases of hepatitis C infection through blood or blood products are referred to a specialist for further assessment, and drug therapy as appropriate. We believe that 6 or 7 people with haemophilia are on the United Kingdom Transplant Support Service Authority's list of people awaiting liver transplants.