There was an internal meeting at the Department of Health to discuss Hepatitis C and Alpha Interferon. There was thought to be "a strong case, on public health grounds, for at least developing clinical guidelines on the management of HCV, including the use of Alpha Interferon." Read more about There was an internal meeting at the Department of Health to discuss Hepatitis C and Alpha Interferon. There was thought to be "a strong case, on public health grounds, for at least developing clinical guidelines on the management of HCV, including the use of Alpha Interferon."
The CMO and colleagues from the Department of Health had a meeting. The NHS Executive Board had not yet come to a firm view on funding of interferon treatment, and a cautious approach was necessary. Read more about The CMO and colleagues from the Department of Health had a meeting. The NHS Executive Board had not yet come to a firm view on funding of interferon treatment, and a cautious approach was necessary.
The paper on Hepatitis C discussed at a meeting of the NHS Executive Board on 13/14 June was provided to the CMO. Read more about The paper on Hepatitis C discussed at a meeting of the NHS Executive Board on 13/14 June was provided to the CMO.
The NHS Executive Board agreed that measures needed to be taken in the interests of public health, but reached no conclusion as to guidance or what should be funded. Read more about The NHS Executive Board agreed that measures needed to be taken in the interests of public health, but reached no conclusion as to guidance or what should be funded.
A paper on Hepatitis C was prepared for a meeting of the NHS Executive stated: "The cost of treatment with alpha interferon (£2-5,000/patient) is already placing a considerable burden on purchasers and the pressure to prescribe Alpha Interferon widely is growing." Read more about A paper on Hepatitis C was prepared for a meeting of the NHS Executive stated: "The cost of treatment with alpha interferon (£2-5,000/patient) is already placing a considerable burden on purchasers and the pressure to prescribe Alpha Interferon widely is growing."
There was a ministerial commitment "to investigate allegations of problems of access to alpha interferon." Read more about There was a ministerial commitment "to investigate allegations of problems of access to alpha interferon."
Document showing extracts from debates and questions about the lookback exercise and haemophilia and Hepatitis C. Read more about Document showing extracts from debates and questions about the lookback exercise and haemophilia and Hepatitis C.
Dr Metters was told that the commitment given was to provide treatment for Hepatitis C where appropriate or necessary and that there had been no firm commitment to provide treatment in every case. Read more about Dr Metters was told that the commitment given was to provide treatment for Hepatitis C where appropriate or necessary and that there had been no firm commitment to provide treatment in every case.
It was noted there was a tension between the need for a central initiative to deal with Hepatitis C and the aim of leaving the NHS to determine its own priorities based on assessment of local needs and there was a need to confirm whether to maintain the line in response to requests for departmental action on additional resources. Read more about It was noted there was a tension between the need for a central initiative to deal with Hepatitis C and the aim of leaving the NHS to determine its own priorities based on assessment of local needs and there was a need to confirm whether to maintain the line in response to requests for departmental action on additional resources.
The Department of Health responded to the British Liver Trust stating that "The majority of patients who will have been at risk of exposure to hepatitis C have been tested for Hepatitis C and following further investigation are being treated with alpha interferon where it is considered clinically appropriate." Read more about The Department of Health responded to the British Liver Trust stating that "The majority of patients who will have been at risk of exposure to hepatitis C have been tested for Hepatitis C and following further investigation are being treated with alpha interferon where it is considered clinically appropriate."