The New Scientist published an article titled "Ministers delayed launch of AIDS test". It reported Abbott Laboratories' accusation that the British government delayed approval until a British test was available. Read more about The New Scientist published an article titled "Ministers delayed launch of AIDS test". It reported Abbott Laboratories' accusation that the British government delayed approval until a British test was available.
The closing submission of NHS Blood and Transplant to the Infected Blood Inquiry noted that, given the general agreement that testing be introduced as soon as possible, it was unfortunate that the first stage of the review was not completed at an earlier stage. Read more about The closing submission of NHS Blood and Transplant to the Infected Blood Inquiry noted that, given the general agreement that testing be introduced as soon as possible, it was unfortunate that the first stage of the review was not completed at an earlier stage.
A letter in The Lancet titled "HTLV III Antibody Screening of Blood Bank Donors" noted that with any screening test the problem lay with false positives. It was elucidated that this would have a significant impact both on blood supplies and on blood donors, as seropositive blood would be discarded and donors would be notified of their results. Read more about A letter in The Lancet titled "HTLV III Antibody Screening of Blood Bank Donors" noted that with any screening test the problem lay with false positives. It was elucidated that this would have a significant impact both on blood supplies and on blood donors, as seropositive blood would be discarded and donors would be notified of their results.
The Department of Health and Social Security issued a press release titled "Date set for AIDS screening test", which stated that John Patten had announced that screening should be introduced by mid October, and the test kits under trial were the Organon and Wellcome tests. Read more about The Department of Health and Social Security issued a press release titled "Date set for AIDS screening test", which stated that John Patten had announced that screening should be introduced by mid October, and the test kits under trial were the Organon and Wellcome tests.
EAGA recognised that "there was a degree of urgency for the introduction of routine anti-HTLV III screening of blood donations which precluded the completion of the National Blood Transfusion Service evaluation of different test kits prior to arrangements being undertaken for the introduction of routine screening". Read more about EAGA recognised that "there was a degree of urgency for the introduction of routine anti-HTLV III screening of blood donations which precluded the completion of the National Blood Transfusion Service evaluation of different test kits prior to arrangements being undertaken for the introduction of routine screening".
A draft preliminary report to a Department of Health and Social Security ad hoc group on the evaluation of commercial anti-HTLV-3/LAV assays provided the raw data arising from the initial evaluation for further discussion. Read more about A draft preliminary report to a Department of Health and Social Security ad hoc group on the evaluation of commercial anti-HTLV-3/LAV assays provided the raw data arising from the initial evaluation for further discussion.
By May 1985 both plasma centres and blood banks in the US were testing donations for the presence of HIV antibodies. Read more about By May 1985 both plasma centres and blood banks in the US were testing donations for the presence of HIV antibodies.
The World Health Organization had concluded at a conference that countries should "Screen, where feasible, potential donors of blood and plasma for antibody to LAV/HTLV-III". Read more about The World Health Organization had concluded at a conference that countries should "Screen, where feasible, potential donors of blood and plasma for antibody to LAV/HTLV-III".
Dr Acheson's note to John Patten exposed a lack of confidence among scientists at the Public Health Laboratory Service that the suppliers would be able to produce testing kits that were "reliable on a large scale and which would continue to be reliable on the shelf". He went on: "It would be worse to be in the position of having to withdraw a test once introduced than to be in our present position of carefully evaluating the tests." Read more about Dr Acheson's note to John Patten exposed a lack of confidence among scientists at the Public Health Laboratory Service that the suppliers would be able to produce testing kits that were "reliable on a large scale and which would continue to be reliable on the shelf". He went on: "It would be worse to be in the position of having to withdraw a test once introduced than to be in our present position of carefully evaluating the tests."
In a draft submission, circulated in the Department of Health and Social Security, it was recommended selecting a test following evaluation by the Public Health Laboratory Service and field trials in the Blood Transfusion Service. "This may take 5 months to implement" and "It might leave us without a screening test for up to 2 further months", although it was hoped field trials could be brought forward. Read more about In a draft submission, circulated in the Department of Health and Social Security, it was recommended selecting a test following evaluation by the Public Health Laboratory Service and field trials in the Blood Transfusion Service. "This may take 5 months to implement" and "It might leave us without a screening test for up to 2 further months", although it was hoped field trials could be brought forward.