Dangerous Factor VIII concentrates had been in use, infecting patients with Hepatitis, for almost a decade by the time AIDS arrived in the early 1980s. As if Hepatitis wasn't bad enough, the government, pharmaceutical companies and medical professionals continued to promote the use of unheated products, knowing that they now also posed a risk of transmitting the AIDS virus. This chronology highlights a myriad of the warnings.

The AIDS virus, now known as HIV, was also termed HTLV-III or LAV in the 1980s.

HIV & AIDS Warnings

9th July 1982

Bayer is warned by US Department of Health that haemophiliacs are displaying immune dysfunction, one has died and all have received Factor VIII. There is “concern about possible transmission through blood products”

16th July 1982

CDC warns of haemophiliacs with severe immune dysfunction seen in other groups, two have died. Cases suggest "the possible transmission of an agent through blood products"

MMWR Aids Report 1982

10th December 1982

MMWR warns haemophiliacs in the USA are developing AIDS and infected Factor VIII is believed to be the cause. Haemophiliacs “must now be considered at risk for the disease”

22nd December 1982

PHLS warns UK Blood Products Laboratory Director of Haemophilia AIDS cases in the USA saying all have received Factor VIII and there are “medico-legal complications”.

4th March 1983

MMWR warns “Blood products…appear responsible for AIDS among hemophilia patients”

17th March 1983

First UK AIDS Case suspected in a British haemophiliac is reported internally. Symptoms noted in January 1983.

The case is not made public at this time.

9th May 1983

UK’s leading epidemiologist and CDSC Director recommends to the UK department of health that commercial Factor VIII should be “withdrawn from use” due to AIDS risk

23rd June 1983

The Council of Europe adopts recommendations, warning the UK "to avoid wherever possible the use of coagulation factor products prepared from large plasma pools" and to inform haemophiliacs of the risk of AIDS

28th June 1983

British Embassy in Washington warns department of health of "dangers to haemophiliacs" from AIDS and "transmission via blood products"

28th June 1983

The department of health circulates a paper on AIDS, advising “the greatest risk to haemophiliacs” is american Factor VIII.

27th October 1983

Health Minister Simon Glenarthur warned by ASTMS: "the evidence is very strong" that haemophiliacs are being exposed to the AIDS virus through american Factor VIII

3rd December 1983

World Health Organisation warns AIDS transmission by Factor VIII has been reported.

22nd August 1984

Internal Department of Health paper says proportion of haemophiliacs testing positive for AIDS Virus is high - “presumably because of…Factor VIII”

1st September 1984

Lancet Paper warns AIDS Virus “is present in pooled blood products, especially Factor VIII Concentrates”

21st December 1984

The Scotsman reports 15 haemophiliacs in Edinburgh infected with AIDS virus through Factor VIII.

31st December 1984

Internal Department of Health paper reports 35% of 800 tested haemophiliacs have the AIDS virus.

Mid - Late 1985

Unheated Factor VIII Concentrates finally stop being given, but are never officially withdrawn