❓ Hon Giz Watson questions the Health Minister about the safety and funding of recombinant Factor VIII/IX for haemophilia patients, advocating for safer alternatives to plasma-derived products. The Minister supports the switch and confirms funding.
AnsweredQoN 2228Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
Following on from my previous question on notice No. 1872 on the supply of recombinant Factor VIII and Factor IX products to people suffering from haemophilia -
(1) It is accepted that current viral inactivation processes should be successful against known viruses such as HIV and Hepatitis C, but are you satisfied that plasma-derived factors provide the same level of safety as recombinant Factor VIII in terms of variant JCD (mad cow disease)?
(2) You have previously acknowledged that haemophilia patients are at risk because they must use plasma-derived products. Do you agree that where alternatives to blood products can be provided, this should occur?
(3) If yes to (2), will you fund the Western Australian share of the costs under the National Blood Agreement to provide these safer recombinant products to Western Australian people with haemophilia?
(4) You have previously acknowledged that the Government is exposed to liability in the event of a virus or agent slipping through the blood supply when a safer product could have been offered. Do you accept that the risk of liability is greater when the safety risks are known or feared and could have been avoided by providing an alternative available product?
(5) The recommendations of the Australian Health Ministers' Advisory Council (ARMAC) Blood and Blood Products Committee Working Party on the Supply and Use of Factor VIII and Factor IX in Australia Report have been delayed for three years. Since then, the Commonwealth Barraclough report has also recommended a switch to recombinant treatment products for people with haemophilia. There appears to be no shortage of recombinant Factor VIII and or IX. What further information do you require to make recombinant products available?
(6) Does the Minister support a switch to recombinant clotting factors for those who can use them?
(7) If yes to (6), has a budget provision been made for a switch to recombinant treatment product this year?
(8) If no to (7), why not?
(9) What did the July 29 2004 Australian Health Ministers’ Conference in Tasmania resolve in relation to recommending the ARMAC Factor VIII and Factor IX Working Party report?
(1) It is accepted that current viral inactivation processes should be successful against known viruses such as HIV and Hepatitis C, but are you satisfied that plasma-derived factors provide the same level of safety as recombinant Factor VIII in terms of variant JCD (mad cow disease)?
(2) You have previously acknowledged that haemophilia patients are at risk because they must use plasma-derived products. Do you agree that where alternatives to blood products can be provided, this should occur?
(3) If yes to (2), will you fund the Western Australian share of the costs under the National Blood Agreement to provide these safer recombinant products to Western Australian people with haemophilia?
(4) You have previously acknowledged that the Government is exposed to liability in the event of a virus or agent slipping through the blood supply when a safer product could have been offered. Do you accept that the risk of liability is greater when the safety risks are known or feared and could have been avoided by providing an alternative available product?
(5) The recommendations of the Australian Health Ministers' Advisory Council (ARMAC) Blood and Blood Products Committee Working Party on the Supply and Use of Factor VIII and Factor IX in Australia Report have been delayed for three years. Since then, the Commonwealth Barraclough report has also recommended a switch to recombinant treatment products for people with haemophilia. There appears to be no shortage of recombinant Factor VIII and or IX. What further information do you require to make recombinant products available?
(6) Does the Minister support a switch to recombinant clotting factors for those who can use them?
(7) If yes to (6), has a budget provision been made for a switch to recombinant treatment product this year?
(8) If no to (7), why not?
(9) What did the July 29 2004 Australian Health Ministers’ Conference in Tasmania resolve in relation to recommending the ARMAC Factor VIII and Factor IX Working Party report?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
21 September 2004
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for Health
Response time
35 days
(2) See 9 below. (3) See 9 below. (4) No. (5) See 9 below. (6) Yes. (7) Yes. (8) Not Applicable. (9) These issues continue to receive active consideration from state, territory and Commonwealth Ministers for Health. The outcome of this Australian Health Ministers’ Conference has been superseded by the Commonwealth’s response to the Senate Inquiry in Hepatitis C and the Blood Supply (30 August 2004). At a meeting of the Jurisdictional Blood Committee on 3 September 2004 the Commonwealth confirmed that funding would be available for recombinant product in 2004-05 and onwards. The Jurisdictional Blood Committee resolved to proceed to implement the policy change as clinically appropriate. In the coming weeks, treating clinicians will make the necessary arrangements with their patients.
(3) See 9 below. (4) No. (5) See 9 below. (6) Yes. (7) Yes. (8) Not Applicable. (9) These issues continue to receive active consideration from state, territory and Commonwealth Ministers for Health. The outcome of this Australian Health Ministers’ Conference has been superseded by the Commonwealth’s response to the Senate Inquiry in Hepatitis C and the Blood Supply (30 August 2004). At a meeting of the Jurisdictional Blood Committee on 3 September 2004 the Commonwealth confirmed that funding would be available for recombinant product in 2004-05 and onwards. The Jurisdictional Blood Committee resolved to proceed to implement the policy change as clinically appropriate. In the coming weeks, treating clinicians will make the necessary arrangements with their patients.
(4) No. (5) See 9 below. (6) Yes. (7) Yes. (8) Not Applicable. (9) These issues continue to receive active consideration from state, territory and Commonwealth Ministers for Health. The outcome of this Australian Health Ministers’ Conference has been superseded by the Commonwealth’s response to the Senate Inquiry in Hepatitis C and the Blood Supply (30 August 2004). At a meeting of the Jurisdictional Blood Committee on 3 September 2004 the Commonwealth confirmed that funding would be available for recombinant product in 2004-05 and onwards. The Jurisdictional Blood Committee resolved to proceed to implement the policy change as clinically appropriate. In the coming weeks, treating clinicians will make the necessary arrangements with their patients.
(5) See 9 below. (6) Yes. (7) Yes. (8) Not Applicable. (9) These issues continue to receive active consideration from state, territory and Commonwealth Ministers for Health. The outcome of this Australian Health Ministers’ Conference has been superseded by the Commonwealth’s response to the Senate Inquiry in Hepatitis C and the Blood Supply (30 August 2004). At a meeting of the Jurisdictional Blood Committee on 3 September 2004 the Commonwealth confirmed that funding would be available for recombinant product in 2004-05 and onwards. The Jurisdictional Blood Committee resolved to proceed to implement the policy change as clinically appropriate. In the coming weeks, treating clinicians will make the necessary arrangements with their patients.
(6) Yes. (7) Yes. (8) Not Applicable. (9) These issues continue to receive active consideration from state, territory and Commonwealth Ministers for Health. The outcome of this Australian Health Ministers’ Conference has been superseded by the Commonwealth’s response to the Senate Inquiry in Hepatitis C and the Blood Supply (30 August 2004). At a meeting of the Jurisdictional Blood Committee on 3 September 2004 the Commonwealth confirmed that funding would be available for recombinant product in 2004-05 and onwards. The Jurisdictional Blood Committee resolved to proceed to implement the policy change as clinically appropriate. In the coming weeks, treating clinicians will make the necessary arrangements with their patients.
(7) Yes. (8) Not Applicable. (9) These issues continue to receive active consideration from state, territory and Commonwealth Ministers for Health. The outcome of this Australian Health Ministers’ Conference has been superseded by the Commonwealth’s response to the Senate Inquiry in Hepatitis C and the Blood Supply (30 August 2004). At a meeting of the Jurisdictional Blood Committee on 3 September 2004 the Commonwealth confirmed that funding would be available for recombinant product in 2004-05 and onwards. The Jurisdictional Blood Committee resolved to proceed to implement the policy change as clinically appropriate. In the coming weeks, treating clinicians will make the necessary arrangements with their patients.
(8) Not Applicable. (9) These issues continue to receive active consideration from state, territory and Commonwealth Ministers for Health. The outcome of this Australian Health Ministers’ Conference has been superseded by the Commonwealth’s response to the Senate Inquiry in Hepatitis C and the Blood Supply (30 August 2004). At a meeting of the Jurisdictional Blood Committee on 3 September 2004 the Commonwealth confirmed that funding would be available for recombinant product in 2004-05 and onwards. The Jurisdictional Blood Committee resolved to proceed to implement the policy change as clinically appropriate. In the coming weeks, treating clinicians will make the necessary arrangements with their patients.
(9) These issues continue to receive active consideration from state, territory and Commonwealth Ministers for Health. The outcome of this Australian Health Ministers’ Conference has been superseded by the Commonwealth’s response to the Senate Inquiry in Hepatitis C and the Blood Supply (30 August 2004). At a meeting of the Jurisdictional Blood Committee on 3 September 2004 the Commonwealth confirmed that funding would be available for recombinant product in 2004-05 and onwards. The Jurisdictional Blood Committee resolved to proceed to implement the policy change as clinically appropriate. In the coming weeks, treating clinicians will make the necessary arrangements with their patients.
At a meeting of the Jurisdictional Blood Committee on 3 September 2004 the Commonwealth confirmed that funding would be available for recombinant product in 2004-05 and onwards. The Jurisdictional Blood Committee resolved to proceed to implement the policy change as clinically appropriate. In the coming weeks, treating clinicians will make the necessary arrangements with their patients.
The Jurisdictional Blood Committee resolved to proceed to implement the policy change as clinically appropriate. In the coming weeks, treating clinicians will make the necessary arrangements with their patients.
(3) See 9 below. (4) No. (5) See 9 below. (6) Yes. (7) Yes. (8) Not Applicable. (9) These issues continue to receive active consideration from state, territory and Commonwealth Ministers for Health. The outcome of this Australian Health Ministers’ Conference has been superseded by the Commonwealth’s response to the Senate Inquiry in Hepatitis C and the Blood Supply (30 August 2004). At a meeting of the Jurisdictional Blood Committee on 3 September 2004 the Commonwealth confirmed that funding would be available for recombinant product in 2004-05 and onwards. The Jurisdictional Blood Committee resolved to proceed to implement the policy change as clinically appropriate. In the coming weeks, treating clinicians will make the necessary arrangements with their patients.
(4) No. (5) See 9 below. (6) Yes. (7) Yes. (8) Not Applicable. (9) These issues continue to receive active consideration from state, territory and Commonwealth Ministers for Health. The outcome of this Australian Health Ministers’ Conference has been superseded by the Commonwealth’s response to the Senate Inquiry in Hepatitis C and the Blood Supply (30 August 2004). At a meeting of the Jurisdictional Blood Committee on 3 September 2004 the Commonwealth confirmed that funding would be available for recombinant product in 2004-05 and onwards. The Jurisdictional Blood Committee resolved to proceed to implement the policy change as clinically appropriate. In the coming weeks, treating clinicians will make the necessary arrangements with their patients.
(5) See 9 below. (6) Yes. (7) Yes. (8) Not Applicable. (9) These issues continue to receive active consideration from state, territory and Commonwealth Ministers for Health. The outcome of this Australian Health Ministers’ Conference has been superseded by the Commonwealth’s response to the Senate Inquiry in Hepatitis C and the Blood Supply (30 August 2004). At a meeting of the Jurisdictional Blood Committee on 3 September 2004 the Commonwealth confirmed that funding would be available for recombinant product in 2004-05 and onwards. The Jurisdictional Blood Committee resolved to proceed to implement the policy change as clinically appropriate. In the coming weeks, treating clinicians will make the necessary arrangements with their patients.
(6) Yes. (7) Yes. (8) Not Applicable. (9) These issues continue to receive active consideration from state, territory and Commonwealth Ministers for Health. The outcome of this Australian Health Ministers’ Conference has been superseded by the Commonwealth’s response to the Senate Inquiry in Hepatitis C and the Blood Supply (30 August 2004). At a meeting of the Jurisdictional Blood Committee on 3 September 2004 the Commonwealth confirmed that funding would be available for recombinant product in 2004-05 and onwards. The Jurisdictional Blood Committee resolved to proceed to implement the policy change as clinically appropriate. In the coming weeks, treating clinicians will make the necessary arrangements with their patients.
(7) Yes. (8) Not Applicable. (9) These issues continue to receive active consideration from state, territory and Commonwealth Ministers for Health. The outcome of this Australian Health Ministers’ Conference has been superseded by the Commonwealth’s response to the Senate Inquiry in Hepatitis C and the Blood Supply (30 August 2004). At a meeting of the Jurisdictional Blood Committee on 3 September 2004 the Commonwealth confirmed that funding would be available for recombinant product in 2004-05 and onwards. The Jurisdictional Blood Committee resolved to proceed to implement the policy change as clinically appropriate. In the coming weeks, treating clinicians will make the necessary arrangements with their patients.
(8) Not Applicable. (9) These issues continue to receive active consideration from state, territory and Commonwealth Ministers for Health. The outcome of this Australian Health Ministers’ Conference has been superseded by the Commonwealth’s response to the Senate Inquiry in Hepatitis C and the Blood Supply (30 August 2004). At a meeting of the Jurisdictional Blood Committee on 3 September 2004 the Commonwealth confirmed that funding would be available for recombinant product in 2004-05 and onwards. The Jurisdictional Blood Committee resolved to proceed to implement the policy change as clinically appropriate. In the coming weeks, treating clinicians will make the necessary arrangements with their patients.
(9) These issues continue to receive active consideration from state, territory and Commonwealth Ministers for Health. The outcome of this Australian Health Ministers’ Conference has been superseded by the Commonwealth’s response to the Senate Inquiry in Hepatitis C and the Blood Supply (30 August 2004). At a meeting of the Jurisdictional Blood Committee on 3 September 2004 the Commonwealth confirmed that funding would be available for recombinant product in 2004-05 and onwards. The Jurisdictional Blood Committee resolved to proceed to implement the policy change as clinically appropriate. In the coming weeks, treating clinicians will make the necessary arrangements with their patients.
At a meeting of the Jurisdictional Blood Committee on 3 September 2004 the Commonwealth confirmed that funding would be available for recombinant product in 2004-05 and onwards. The Jurisdictional Blood Committee resolved to proceed to implement the policy change as clinically appropriate. In the coming weeks, treating clinicians will make the necessary arrangements with their patients.
The Jurisdictional Blood Committee resolved to proceed to implement the policy change as clinically appropriate. In the coming weeks, treating clinicians will make the necessary arrangements with their patients.
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