§ Mr. David StewartTo ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to receive guidance from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence on the use of photodynamic therapy for age-related macular degeneration. [66877]
§ Ms Blears[holding answer 4 July 2002]: The National Institute for Clinical Excellence published its final appraisal determination on photodynamic therapy on 12 June. This has been appealed against. An appeal panel will now be convened to hear the appeal and decide the outcome. If the appeal is not upheld then guidance will be published; however, if it is upheld, then the appeals panel will ask the appraisal committee to reconsider the evidence in light of the appeal panel's decision. The earliest guidance could be available to the national health service is early August.