Brian Cowen
Question:100 Mr. Cowen asked the Minister for Health the cost of the hepatitis C screening programme since its initiation. [5269/97]
Written Answers - Cost of Hepatitis C Screening Programme.
Limerick East): The National Blood Screening Programme commenced in February 1994 to screen for hepatitis C all women who had received the anti-D product, their children and partners. The targeted lookback programme, commenced in October 1994 to identify persons who may have been infected with hepatitis C as a result of transfusion, by tracing the past donations of donors identified with hepatitis C infection. The optional screening programme commenced in September 1995 to ensure that all recipients of blood transfusions and blood products who might possibly have become infected with hepatitis C through the receipt of transfusions or blood products were given the option of being tested free of charge.
I am informed by the Blood Transfusion Service Board that the estimated cost of these programmes to the end of 1996 is £7.6 million.