Sky News
An inquiry has criticised the "procrastination" that led to a blood contamination scandal that killed nearly 2,000 people.
Some 4,670 patients who received "bad blood" transfusions during the 1970s and 80s were infected with Hepatitis C - of whom 1,243 were also infected with HIV.
Nearly 2,000 haemophilia patients died as a result.
Leading medical expert Lord Winston called the scandal "the worst treatment disaster in the history of the NHS".
The inquiry, led by Labour Peer Lord Archer of Sandwell, said the infection of so many was a "horrific human tragedy".
The report's authors said they were "dismayed" at the time taken by the Government and scientific agencies to respond to the dangers of Hepatitis C and HIV infections.
The blood of haemophiliacs does not clot properly and as a result, sufferers bruise easily and can have spontaneous internal bleeds - often in their joints and muscles.
In the 1970s, a new method for producing clotting factors was discovered which used plasma donations.
At this time, the NHS bought some blood products from US suppliers who used what became known as "skid row" donors - those who were more likely to have HIV and Hepatitis C.
The report was highly critical of the "lethargic" progress towards self-sufficiency in blood products - Ireland did it in five years, whereas England and Wales took 13 years.
It lays significant blame on the US companies that supplied the blood products.
They paid donors and ignored warnings on the risks that people who were desperate for money are more likely to have blood infections.
"It is difficult to avoid the conclusion that commercial interests took precedence over public health concerns," the report said.
As part of its recommendations, the inquiry said proper financial compensation should be paid to those infected and for carers.
Also, all haemophiliacs who received the blood products, along with their partners, should be tested for infections, and receive benefits not freely available on the NHS - including counselling and home nursing.
