§ Mr. Baron:To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 10 November 2003, Official Report, column 136W, on multiple sclerosis, if he will break down by nominated prescribing centres (a) the MS patients receiving treatment as at 10 November 2003 and (b) the MS patients waiting to be assessed for treatment with disease modifying therapies; and if he will make a statement on significant differences between health authorities in the prescribing of beta interferon. [140721]
§ Dr. Ladyman[holding answer 2 December 2003]We do not hold appropriate data to provide such a breakdown. It is estimated that at the end of October 2003, about 7,000 patients were being treated with a disease modifying treatment for their multiple sclerosis.