BTS denies profit dictated treatment of haemophiliacs

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service has denied that haemophiliacs suffered unnecessarily because of financial considerations during the economic recession in the 1980s.

In its closing submission to the Lindsay Tribunal, the BTS denied accusations by the Irish Haemophiliac Society that profit dictated the standard of treatment offered to haemophiliacs who had contracted HIV and Hepatitis C from contaminated blood products.

The BTS said cost was a factor, but explained that if any more money was diverted towards treating the victims of the blood scandal, it would have left less funds available for other important services.