§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what analysis his Department has made of the most common ways of contracting hepatitis C. [53278]
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§ Yvette Cooper[holding answer 29 April 2002]: Hepatitis C is a blood-borne virus that is transmitted mainly through direct blood to blood contact. Currently the greatest risk of acquiring hepatitis C infection in the UK is through the sharing of blood contaminated needles and injecting equipment among injecting drug users.
Previously transmission occurred through transfusion of contaminated blood or blood products before the introduction of donor screening and of viral inactivation of plasma products.
Health care and laboratory workers are at risk of infection by occupational exposure to the blood of infected patients. Infection may be passed from mother to baby and by sexual intercourse but these are generally considered to be less efficient modes of transmission. Tattooing and other forms of skin piercing also present a risk of infection if sterile equipment is not used.
§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what treatments are available for hepatitis C in the NHS; and how many(a) men and (b) women are receiving treatment for this condition; [53284]
(2) what percentage of the estimated population infected with hepatitis C have received treatment; [53285]
(3) what guidance has been provided to PCTs to make provision for the treatment and prevention of hepatitis C. [53287]
§ Yvette Cooper[holding answer 29 April 2002]: The Department does not hold information centrally on the number of patients who have or who are receiving treatment for hepatitis C infection. In October 2000, the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) issued guidance to the national health service on the use of Ribavirin and Interferon Alpha in the treatment of hepatitis C. Health authorities and primary care trusts are under a statutory obligation set out in directions, which came into force on 1 January 2002, to provide appropriate funding for treatments recommended by NICE.
The Department will be considering the need to issue guidance to primary care trusts on the prevention of hepatitis C following consultation on a strategy for hepatitis C later this year, and as part of the action plans set out in the strategy on infectious diseases, "Getting Ahead of the Curve".
§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) when he expects the expert steering group on hepatitis C set up in 2001 to produce its findings; [53286]
(2) when he proposes to publish a strategy to combat hepatitis C. [53274]
§ Yvette Cooper[holding answer 29 April 2002]: We set up a steering group last year to provide advice on a strategic approach to hepatitis C by bringing together issues relating to prevention, control and treatment. We expect to consult on a strategy for hepatitis C during the summer, which will take account of advice from the steering group.