HC Deb 13 July 2000 vol 353 cc681-2W
Mr. Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reasons the question tabled by the hon.

Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in the UK with MS currently receive beta interferon; what this represents as a percentage of MS sufferers; and what the equivalent figure is in(a) France, (b) Germany and (c) the US. [128939]

Mr. Denham

We estimate that between 1,700 and 1,800 people in England are currently receiving beta interferon on the National Health Service, equivalent to around 3 per cent. of all patients with multiple sclerosis in England.

We understand that the percentage of patients with multiple sclerosis receiving beta interferon in France and Germany respectively is 12 per cent. and 13 per cent.

We do not held information for the United States of America.

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