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Infected blood - from scandal to inquiry
Oct 23, 2023
Podcast explores the contaminated blood scandal in the UK, where thousands were infected with hepatitis and AIDS. It discusses the significance of Factor 8 as a treatment for hemophilia, ethical considerations in decision-making, risks associated with factor-rate, concealing information from patients, challenges of suing pharmaceutical companies, and the importance of clinical governance and patient safety.
42:04
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Quick takeaways
- The contaminated blood scandal in the UK revealed a failure in clinical governance and patient rights, with doctors not providing informed consent and patients being denied the option of safer treatments.
- The pursuit of profit by pharmaceutical companies led to the use of plasma from high-risk sources, contributing to the widespread contamination of Factor VIII and the subsequent infections of thousands of hemophilia patients.
Deep dives
The Infected Blood Scandal
Between the early 70s and the mid 80s, over 1200 people in the UK with bleeding disorders were infected with AIDS and hepatitis through contaminated clotting agents derived from human plasma. The medical community and government failed to acknowledge the dangers of the treatment and patients were not given the option to switch to safer alternatives like cryoprecipitate. The scandal involved doctors who persisted with risky treatments, governments that delayed improvements to the system, and pharmaceutical companies prioritizing profit over safety. Patients and their families have been fighting for compensation and a recognition of the system's failure.
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