§ Mr. Alfred MorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Health whether there is any restriction on the freedom of doctors to prescribe erythropoietin for patients with kidney failure; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PawseyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what action he intends to take to make erythropoietin freely available under the National Health Service;
(2) what is the estimated cost to the National Health Service of providing erythropoietin to those likely to benefit from it.
§ Mr. Mellor[holding answer 19 October 1989]: Erythropoietin has not yet been granted a product licence. However, it is open to doctors to prescribe the medicine on a named patient basis.
We have been in touch with health authorities about the likely need for the drug and its expenditure implications. We are assessing the information to determine the best way forward.