§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what progress has been made on the prescription-plus-monitoring scheme for disease-modifying drugs for MS; [89819]
(2) if he will list the centres that have been authorised to prescribe beta interferons through his Department's prescription-plus-monitoring scheme; [89820]
(3) how many people he estimates will receive beta interferons under the prescription-plus-monitoring scheme; [89817]
(4) how long he estimates it will be before all people who may benefit from beta interferons have been assessed by a neurologist for the prescription-plus-monitoring scheme. [89818]
§ Mr. LammyThe designation of centres is a matter for local agreement. A list of centres is maintained by the scheme co-ordinator, Sheffield University's School of Health and Related Research, who should be approached for up to date information.
Health Service Circular HSC 2002/004, which introduced the scheme, stated the intention to complete recruitment of patients within 18 months of the scheme being initiated by centres.
136WIt has been estimated that up to 9,000 patients in England and Wales may be eligible for treatment under the scheme.
We understand that the majority of centres are now recruiting patients under the scheme.