§ John AustinTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received from consultant rheumatologists regarding the prescribing of TNF blockade; whether the obligation to fund it includes funding the nursing and administrative infrastructure122W necessary to facilitate and enable funding the administration of the drug: what guidance he has issued to primary care trusts and acute trusts; and if he will make a statement. [184875]
§ Dr. LadymanWe are not aware of having received any representations from consultant rheumatologists on this subject. The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) reported on these drugs in 2002, so we would expect that any representations would have been received by them. There has, however, been correspondence from hon. and right hon. Members and the public, as well as several parliamentary questions, on anti-TNF therapy.
National health service bodies are under a statutory obligation to fund treatments recommended in NICE technology appraisals. We expect primary care trusts (PCTs) to meet their statutory obligations, and strategic health authorities to follow up any allegations of non-compliance.
The NHS has three months from the date of publication of guidance on technology appraisals to provide funding, so that clinical decisions made by doctors involving NICE recommended treatments or drugs can be funded. We last reminded PCTs of these obligations in guidance published in January 2003.
The Department has not issued guidelines on the dispensing of anti-TNF drugs. NICE issued guidance on these drugs in March 2002. They recommended that consultant rheumatologists, or consultant paediatric rheumatologists in the case of juvenile idiopathic arthritis, should prescribe these drugs, in accordance with the guidelines set out by the British Society for Rheumatology or British Paediatric Rheumatology Group.