HEALTH bosses in Bury and Rochdale are thought to be the first in Greater Manchester to switch methods of care for haemophilia patients following a new Government directive.

Following an order to all health authorities by the Secretary of State for Health, Mr Frank Dobson, Recombinant Factor 8 - which helps clot the blood of haemophilia patients - will now be available to local haemophiliac children under 16 and to new patients in Bury.

The news follows concerns of a theoretical risk of transmission of a new variant of Creutzfeld-Jakob Disease, the human form of mad cow disease, in plasma derived products. As Factor 8 is derived from human blood, in the past it has exposed patients to infection from HIV and hepatitis C. The Recombinant Factor 8 is genetically engineered from animal tissue, so cannot carry human viruses.

Sixteen months ago the Bury and Rochdale Health Authority decided not to fund the new treatment, which was placed as a 'low priority', as the risk involved to haemophiliacs was deemed theoretical. Previously the local authority only funded Recombinant Factor 8 if the patient was seen as a special case.

Since then, the cost of providing the newer product has been reduced, although the change of local policy will cost the authority a further £60,000 in the next financial year.

Bury's director of public health, Dr Kevin Snee, said: "Although there is no evidence that anybody has contracted new variant CJD from blood transfusion, it is a theoretical risk. All things considered, Recombinant Factor VIII is the preferred product and so we are recommending that children under 16 in Bury and Rochdale receive it.

"We will be closely watching the situation with regard to new Recombinant products and the plasma products used by adult patients with haemophilia."

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