Health Ministry Officials Suspected of Taking Bribes in HIV Scandal

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1993. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Health Ministry Officials Suspected of Taking Bribes in HIV Scandal

United Press International (10/21/93)

Vienna--In an effort to accelerate approval of products for hemophiliacs, health ministry officials in Austria may have accepted bribes from a drug company which manufacturers the products, according to press reports. The allegations target civil servants who supposedly traveled to conferences worldwide at the expense of Swiss-Austrian company Immuno. The pharmaceutical firm is being sued by a group of about 30 hemophiliacs who claim the company's products infected them with HIV. Health Minister Michael Ausserwinkler said that his department would uncover the reason why the defective products were not recalled in 1985, when the link between HIV and AIDS was discovered. He warned that those who are found to have acted illegally will face charges. Klaus Anderle, an Immuno spokesperson, contended that as many as 10 hemophiliacs would have died if Factor 8, a blood-thickening product available worldwide, had been pulled from the market, as there was no alternative product. Of Austria's estimated 600 hemophiliacs, about 150 are infected with HIV. About 70 individuals have died from AIDS in the country.

931022
AD931905

Copyright © 1993 - Information, Inc., Bethesda, MD. The CDC National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention provides the following information as a public service only. Providing synopses of key scientific articles and lay media reports on HIV/AIDS, other sexually transmitted diseases and tuberculosis does not constitute CDC endorsement. This daily update also includes information from CDC and other government agencies, such as background on Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) articles, fact sheets, press releases and announcements. Reproduction of this text is encouraged; however, copies may not be sold, and the CDC HIV/STD/TB Prevention News Update should be cited as the source of the information. Contact the sources of the articles abstracted below for full texts of the articles.

AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, AIDS Walk of Orange County, and donations from users like you.

Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1993. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 1993. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content.