Another blood conflict?

1993/11/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Osasuna

When, until April 1986, the installation of several Swiss hemophiliacs and blood products that could contain HIV (AIDS virus) to patients has been known, a scandal similar to that previously recorded in France and Spain can occur in this State.

The Swiss Red Cross Central Transfusion Laboratory has been accused of being “incompetent” for distributing 5,800 blood products. Of these, about 1,000 were infected with HIV, although purification and systematic analysis was mandatory 8 months in advance. The Federal Health Office and the International Office for Drug Control have also been criticized for not producing safer products marketed in other countries due to bureaucratic delays. Although one of these products was registered in that Office in 1984, until 1986 Swiss Medical Insurance did not pay.

It is recognized that some of the 68 hemophiliacs are contaminated. 6 patients from Geneva (4 hemophiliacs and 2 transfused) have already come to trial. The sentence of a Special Federal Commission is expected before the end of this year.