Recombinant for all
In the late 1990s, the Government announced that the majority of haemophilia patients under the age of 16 should be treated with synthetic (recombinant) instead of plasma-derived clotting factors to maximise safety. The position of a minority suffering from inhibitors and unable to tolerate treatment with the usual factors VIII or IX was, however, left unclear. JMC Partners' communications activity in 2001- 02 addressed Ministers, Parliamentarians, civil servants, clinicians, patient groups and others and emphasised the need for a coherent policy encompassing all people with haemophilia. It was rewarded by the announcement in February 2003 that synthetic clotting factors would be extended to all age groups and include recombinant factor VIIa for patients with inhibitors. "The announcement extending recombinant treatment to all severe haemophilia patients has been a direct result of JMC's tireless efforts and should increase NovoSeven's UK market share from 50% to 100%" Jo Kennedy, Director Northern Europe, Novo Nordisk Haematology Business
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