Haemophilia body welcomes move to investigate drug firms

The Irish Haemophilia Society has welcomed a move by Health Minister Mary Harney to investigate the role of international drug firms in Hepatitis C and HIV infection scandals.

The Irish Hemophilia Society has welcomed a move by Health Minister Mary Harney to investigate the role of international drug firms in Hepatitis C and HIV infection scandals.

Ms Harney has hired lawyers to investigate the role of these companies in infecting Irish haemophiliacs with the illnesses.

Dozens of Irish people have died as a result of contracting Hepatitis C and HIV from contaminated blood products supplied by international firms, most of them based in the United States.

Four years ago, the Lindsay Tribunal investigating the infection scandal refused to expand its terms of reference to include an examination of the role of these companies.