The Chronology below demonstrates government, pharmaceutical companies and the medical establishment were aware that large-pool Factor VIII concentrates carried an unacceptable risk of Hepatitis. The evidence shows this was known decades before the infected blood scandal happened and at all times when unheated Factor Concentrates were given to people in the UK.
The predominant period when unheated Factor Concentrates were being given to people in the UK was 1973 - 1986.
Hepatitis Warnings
26th September 1946
UK Medical departments are warned about jaundice and plasma
15th Jan 1953
World Health Organisation warns plasma products should be small-pool
1st Jan 1968
Annals of Internal Medicine paper warns Factor VIII Concentrates “heavily contaminated with the virus of serum hepatitis”
1st Aug 1970
Dr Poole publishes paper stating Cryo has a “decidedly reduced risk of hepatitis” compared to Factor VIII concentrate
1st May 1972
“Hepatitis is the most serious complication” says Blood Products Laboratory director
31st July 1972
Dr Kasper warns haemophiliacs “are at a high risk of developing clinical hepatitis after introduction of clotting-factor concentrates”
31st July 1972
JAMA Journal article says “"hepatitis frequently follows the first exposure to concentrate"
4th January 1973
Blood Products Laboratory director acknowledges Hepatitis risk of Kryobulin and Hemofil but still in favour of granting licence
5th March 1975
Blood Products Laboratory director informed of hepatitis cases at the Treloar school following Factor VIII use
2nd August 1975
Lancet Paper warns Factor VIII Concentrates “carry a much higher risk” of hepatitis than Cryo
19th October 1976
PHLS Virologist tells Blood Products Lab Director "there is a fairly constant incidence of hepatitis which occurs after transfusion of both English FVIII and other commercial preparations"
30th May 1977
Dr Craske reports on the HemofilV1 study: "The study had involved 26 Haemophilia Centres and the finding showed that of 371 haemophiliacs 66 had one or more attacks of Hepatitis. The incidence of infection by Hemofil was very high…
22nd September 1977
Dr Craske reports many batches of Factor VIII are causing Hepatitis C
1st September 1980
Haemophilia doctors say, in respect of Factor VIII Hepatitis infections:
“I think we are just building up trouble”
“it will be an enormous problem when it happens”
(Page 54)
