HC Deb 23 June 2004 vol 422 cc1433-4W
Mr. Sanders

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will instruct the National Institute for Clinical Excellence to investigate and compare the clinical effectiveness of beef, pork and synthetic insulins. [R] [179548]

Ms Rosie Winterton

We have no plans to refer this topic to the National Institute for Clinical Excellence.

Total waste disposal costs by year
£ million
SHA 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03
Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire 1.54 2.28 2.19 1.97
Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire 0.86 1.27 1.55 1.65
Birmingham and the Black Country 1.84 1.61 1.94 2.13
Cheshire and Merseyside 1.37 1.81 1.84 2.40
County Durham and Tees Valley 0.75 0.84 0.90 1.07
Cumbria and Lancashire 1.40 1.43 1.46 1.65
Dorset and Somerset 0.75 1.45 0.84 0.95
Essex 1.12 0.60 1.10 1.52
Greater Manchester 2.55 2.39 2.55 3.16
Hampshire and Isle of Wight 1.23 1.39 1.49 1.98
Kent and Medway 1.04 0.99 1.13 1.25
Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland 1.14 1.28 2.17 164
Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire 1.58 1.43 1.52 2.01
North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire 1.36 1.45 1.62 1.61
North Central London 1.90 1.83 1.92 2.73
North East London 1.63 1.69 2.09 2.37
North West London 2.52 2.53 3.40 2.44
Northumberland, Tyne and Wear 1.27 1.21 1.54 1.73
Shropshire and Staffordshire 1.02 1.25 1.36 1.50
South East London 1.29 1.55 1.99 2.21
South West London 1.37 1.39 1.61 1.97

Mr. Sanders

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of insulin dependent diabetics prescribed(a) beef,(b) pork and (c) other insulins in each of the past 10 years for which figures are available. [R] [179549]

Ms Rosie Winterton

The Department does not hold this data.

Mr. Sanders

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with insulin manufacturers about the continuity of future supply to patients. [R] [179551]

Ms Rosie Winterton

The Department is in regular contact with the companies who manufacture insulin. None of them currently has any plans to withdraw from the United Kingdom market.

Mr. Sanders

To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department has responsibility for the continuity of supply for(a) all insulins, (b)specific insulins and (c) an insulin; and if he will make a statement. [R] [179552]

Ms Rosie Winterton

The Department is in regular contact with the companies which supply insulins to the United Kingdom market and makes every effort to ensure that patients continue to receive the treatment they require. However the Department has no powers to force a company to continue to market a product if, for any reason, it is unable to do so.