§ Mr. EdwardsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about Government support for research into(a) child and (b) adult epilepsy. [15394]
§ Jacqui SmithThe main Government agency for research into the causes of and treatments for disease is the Medical Research Council (MRC), which receives its funding via the Department of Trade and Industry. The MRC has a large portfolio of research into epilepsy, out of a total spend of approximately £24 million on neurological diseases. The MRC always welcomes high quality applications for support into any aspect of human health and these are judged in open competition with other demands on funding. Awards are made according to their scientific quality and importance to human health.
The Department funds research to support policy and delivery of effective practice in the national health service. Research on the clinical effectiveness and cost effectiveness of new drugs for epilepsy in adult and children is currently being supported through the health technology assessment programme. Research includes a randomised controlled trial of longer-term clinical outcomes and cost-effectiveness of standard and new anti-epileptic drugs, at an overall cost of £1.3 million, together with reviews of existing research on behalf of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence.
In addition to specific projects, the Department also provides support for research commissioned by charities and the Medical Research Council that take place in the NHS.
Project details of work directly funded by the Department or supported through the NHS research and development budget can be found on the National Research Register (NRR). This is available in the Library 1195W and most medical libraries on CD-Rom, and on the internet: http://www.doh/gov.uk/research/nrr.htm. The NRR contains details of projects/trials relating to child and adult epilepsy.