§ Lady HermonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people in Northern Ireland are waiting for treatment with Remicade; and how many of these people have been waiting(a) less than six months, (b) between six and 12 months, (c) between 12 and 18 months, (d) between 18 and 24 months and (e) longer than 24 months. [144387]
§ Angela SmithRemicade is one of the specialist medicines, known as biologic therapies, used for the treatment of severe rheumatoid arthritis. Information in relation to the number of people waiting for all biologic therapy treatment and the length of time they have been waiting is as follows:
Rheumatoid Arthritis Number Less than six months 89 Between six and 12 months 91 Between 12 and 18 months 77 Between 18 and 24 months 79 Longer than 24 months 53 The decision as to whether to prescribe Remicade or another medicine for the treatment of an individual patient is a matter for clinical judgment and is the individual responsibility of the prescriber at the time when treatment is to commence.