§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money has been spent by his Department in funding research on myalgic encephalomyelitis since 15 October 1990; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. DorrellThe Department is not directly funding any research on myalgic encephalomyelitis at present, but the Medical Research Council is funding a study at the Institute of Psychiatry which is to investigate chronic fatigue, another term used for ME, in general practitioners' attenders. The MRC and the Department are always willing to consider sympathetically soundly based research proposals in competition with other applications.
§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if treatment of myalgic encephalomyelitis by way of special dietary supplement is available on the national health service; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. DorrellTreatment in individual cases is a matter for the clinician who is treating the patient. Dietary supplements are not normally prescribed under the national health service, but certain nutritional products can be prescribed where necessary for the treatment of a condition.