HC Deb 19 July 2002 vol 389 c657W
Mr. Heald

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the safety of UK plasma products; and if he will make a statement. [68142]

Ms Blears

[holding answer 11 July 2002]: Since 1998 United Kingdom plasma has not been used in the manufacture of plasma derived products, including clotting factors, supplied to the National Health Service. This step was taken to reduce the unknown risks of transmission of vCJD.

Plasma products are tightly regulated by European and United States authorities to minimise the risk of viral transmission. This is achieved by the screening of donor blood and the anti-viral measures taken during manufacture. However no medicinal product can ever be completely free of risk.