The CMO of England, Liam Donaldson, published Getting Ahead of the Curve, a strategy for infectious diseases. The strategy identified the high prevalence of Hepatitis C in England and announced a specific strategy to bring together actions to improve Hepatitis C awareness and treatment. Read more about The CMO of England, Liam Donaldson, published Getting Ahead of the Curve, a strategy for infectious diseases. The strategy identified the high prevalence of Hepatitis C in England and announced a specific strategy to bring together actions to improve Hepatitis C awareness and treatment.
The Department of Health introduced a statutory obligation for the NHS to provide funding for NICE-recommended medicines and treatments from three months following approval. Read more about The Department of Health introduced a statutory obligation for the NHS to provide funding for NICE-recommended medicines and treatments from three months following approval.
Ribavirin had been available on a named patient basis prior to licensing. Read more about Ribavirin had been available on a named patient basis prior to licensing.
Ribavirin was licensed for distribution in the UK. Read more about Ribavirin was licensed for distribution in the UK.
At an SNBTS medical and scientific committee meeting Dr Aileen Keel "advised that 'ring fenced' funding for interferon treatment would not materialise." Read more about At an SNBTS medical and scientific committee meeting Dr Aileen Keel "advised that 'ring fenced' funding for interferon treatment would not materialise."
At an SNBTS medical and scientific committee meeting it was reported that there was "considerable demand" for interferon in Scotland "but, as yet, no 'ring fenced' money." Read more about At an SNBTS medical and scientific committee meeting it was reported that there was "considerable demand" for interferon in Scotland "but, as yet, no 'ring fenced' money."
A working party of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh produced a report on Hepatitis C and noted that there was no general agreement as to who should meet the drugs costs, general practitioner or hospital. Read more about A working party of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh produced a report on Hepatitis C and noted that there was no general agreement as to who should meet the drugs costs, general practitioner or hospital.
Dr Rejman stated the current recombinant products contain albumin from human plasma. Manufacturers could not therefore claim it was safer from a viral point of view than plasma derived factor VIII. Read more about Dr Rejman stated the current recombinant products contain albumin from human plasma. Manufacturers could not therefore claim it was safer from a viral point of view than plasma derived factor VIII.
Dr Rejman noted that "it appears that the Department of Health was encouraging the use of Interferon, where it was appropriate, but accepting that the final decision rested with the purchasers." Read more about Dr Rejman noted that "it appears that the Department of Health was encouraging the use of Interferon, where it was appropriate, but accepting that the final decision rested with the purchasers."
The position of the Department of Health remained "Funding for treatment is a matter for the local health authority." Read more about The position of the Department of Health remained "Funding for treatment is a matter for the local health authority."