THE parents of an East Lancashire boy suffering from a severe blood disorder are stepping up their fight to persuade health bosses to pay for expensive new treatment.

The family has been campaigning for East Lancashire Health Authority to pay for genetically-engineered recombinant factor eight for their five-year-old haemophiliac son, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

They have already had a High Court challenge against health bosses thrown out.

Now the parents are set to present their son as a "special case" in their latest bid to persuade the health authority to pay for the treatment.

The family's lawyers are finalising a detailed application which will be submitted for health chiefs to consider. The couple believe recombinant factor eight will make their son's treatment for haemophilia much safer.

The chemical-based drug, which is more expensive for health authorities to fund, is being given in other parts of the UK.

The boy has been receiving a human-derived drug since he was diagnosed as haemophiliac.

Although it is effective, his parents are concerned that it can carry viruses into his body.

They claim the new drug is safer.

Cash-strapped Royal Manchester Children's Hospital and East Lancashire Health Authority believe the drug being used is safe and there is no need to incur further expense on the new treatment.

The boy's father said: "We are hopeful because there have been two similar cases in other parts of Lancashire which have been approved.

"Our solicitors are getting together various reports and are putting together our application."

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