§ Mr. FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) when he next plans to meet the Chairman and members of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence to discuss their decision on not prescribing beta interferon; [1347511)
(2) what was the cost basis on which NICE made its decision not to allow the prescribing of beta interferon; [134738]
(3) if he will refer back to the National Institute for Clinical Excellence their decision on the non-prescribing of beta interferon. [134740]
§ Mr. DenhamThe National Institute for Clinical Excellence has not yet published its final guidance on beta interferon for the treatment of multiple sclerosis and it would not be appropriate to pre-empt what the final guidance might say.
§ Mr. FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the savings in social security benefits and local authority care costs that would arise if beta interferon were prescribed to those patients who might benefit.[134739]
§ Mr. DenhamNo. The National Institute for Clinical Excellence is conducting a thorough appraisal on beta interferon for the treatment of multiple sclerosis and has not yet completed its work.