§ 41. Mr. Wigginasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will now arrange to make L-Dopa available under the National Health Service for the treatment of Parkinson's Disease; and what estimate he has made for the cost per patient of providing the drug.
§ Dr. John DunwoodyI would refer the hon. Member to my reply on 26th January to my hon. Friend the Member for Kingston-upon-Hull, West (Mr. James Johnson). Since then the Committee on Safety of Drugs has cleared two more preparations of L-Dopa for clinical studies. It is too early to make an estimate of the likely cost of L-Dopa if the Committee on Safety of Drugs clears it for more general use, and it were made available to the National Health Service. —[Vol. 794. c. 250.]
§ Mr. WigginSince the most reliable newspaper reports have estimated the success rate as ranging from as low as 5 per cent. to as high as 50 per cent., will the hon. Member consider the desirability of making a further statement about this helpful drug, in order to allay further suffering on the part of these unfortunate people?
§ Dr. DunwoodyIt is precisely because there is uncertainty as to the real value of a drug like this, and about its side effects, that we must await the outcome of the trials. It would be unwise to make any move until we knew the results of the trials which are currently taking place.
§ Mr. LongdenIs it true that another drug has been discovered which has similarly beneficial effects on people suffering from this disease?
§ Dr. DunwoodyAt the end of last week there was a report in one of the medical journals about a somewhat similar drug which appears to have possible beneficial effects, with fewer side effects. We may see the introduction of a number of drugs in this field in the future.