NO ONE TO BLAME

Tainted blood in UK

02-24-2009 | AP

Panama Star House of Lords member Peter Archer's report called the scandal a "horrific human tragedy" but did not name any specific medical workers or pharmaceutical companies as being responsible for the deaths of around 2,000 hemophiliacs since the 1970s.

Archer's commission did say that U.S.companies that provided unsafe blood plasma products bore a heavy responsibility for infecting roughly 5,700 hemophiliacs with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, or hepatitis C.

"It is difficult to avoid the conclusion that commercial interests took precedence over public health concerns," said Archer, who conducted an independent inquiry with the help of legal and medical professionals. The report recommended more compensation for victims, and giving them free prescription drugs.