Blood plasma contaminated with HIV and hepatitis C was transfused to patients in the United Kingdom as part of a hemophilia drug trial, Izvestia reported May 23.
The scandal broke out after the publication of Brian Langstaff’s investigation. He discovered that trials had been carried out on contaminated blood plasma supplied from the United States since the 1970s. Factor 8 was developed to treat hemophilia. Donor blood obtained from drug addicts, “sex workers” and prisoners was used to produce blood plasma.
Langstaff discovered that senior British medical officials were aware of what was happening, but not only gave the green light to testing the drug, but also refused to compensate the victims. Even as rates of HIV and hepatitis C infection increased markedly among those infected, plasma from the United States was not tested for HIV until 1986 and for hepatitis C until 1991. Victims also included children who were He administered the medication “as a prophylaxis.” Langstaff discovered that this was actually part of a secret drug trial.
When the number of victims increased further, officials began destroying incriminating documents. The victims were denied compensation. The UK government refused to hold the exam until 2017.
The investigation was launched by Prime Minister Theresa May, calling the long-running crime a terrible tragedy.
Also read: British Prime Minister apologizes to HIV blood transfusion victims
Elena Kharitonova, senior researcher at the IMEMO RAS Center for European Studies, said the obvious consequence of the scandal will be the erosion of public confidence in the British healthcare system.
Source: Rossa Primavera
I am Michael Melvin, an experienced news writer with a passion for uncovering stories and bringing them to the public. I have been working in the news industry for over five years now, and my work has been published on multiple websites. As an author at 24 News Reporters, I cover world section of current events stories that are both informative and captivating to read.