The COOK REPORT - Series 4 / Episode 5 - Profits Before Patients - Part 1 of 3
First Broadcast : 23rd July 1990 - 7.00pm - Central Television Production for ITV
At look back at the 1980s, to as
...
k if producers of Factor VIII, a treatment for Haemophiliacs, were aware that it was a potential carrier of Human Imunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.
A major ingredient of Factor VIII, is donated blood and during the 1980s, the majority of Factor VIII was produced in USA where donors were not screened and blood was not treated. Consequently, Factor VIII became contaminated with HIV & AIDS which, in turn, infected the Hemophiliacs who injected it.
Armour Pharmaceuticals, a US Factor VIII producer, was aware of the dangers but ignored both their own research and warnings from the authorities to maintain profit margins. British Haemophiliacs who were infected by Armour Factor VIII and American experts who advised Armour of the dangers are interviewed.
Interviewees: Dr William O'Connor, US Government AIDS advisor 1986 - 1988; Dr Don Francis, Centers for Disease Control; Tom Drees, chief executive, Alpha Corporation, 1978 - 1983 - Dr Alfred Prince, virologist, New York Blood Center; Wayne Spivey, lawyer representing US AIDS victims - the father of Haemophiliac, Terry Tousignant who committed suicide after discovering he was HIV positive. HIV positive Haemophiliacs: Alan White, Bob Threakall, Gary & Lee Corns and their baby son, Christopher.
Series ID: CAR0489
Credits text: Reporter - ROGER COOK
Paris company: CENTRAL TELEVISION LTD
Genre: FACTUAL
ITC class ID:
Running time - minutes: 24
Running time - seconds: 45
First TX date: 1990-07-23
Production area: FACTUAL PROGRAMMES
Production type: PROGRAMME
Version type: INTERNATIONAL VERSION
Local series ID: CAR0489
Local episode ID: CAR0489/0005
Picture style: Colour
Sound style: Stereo
Slot time: 30
Commissioner: ITV NETWORK LIMITED
Exploit Issues:
Production companies: CENTRAL TELEVISION LTD