HC Deb 09 February 1990 vol 166 cc802-4W
Mr. Ashley

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will commission an independent study of the health advantages of the wider use of hormone replacement therapy.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

I refer the right hon. Member to the reply that I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Billericay (Mrs. Gorman) on 18 January at column403.

The main agency through which the Government fund bio-medical and clinical research is the Medical Research Council (MRC). The MRC receives its grant in aid from the Department of Education and Science. The MRC has set up a sub-group of its physiological systems board to review the need for further research on osteoporosis. This group is examining the feasibility of mounting a multicentre prospective trial of screening methods to identify at risk women who are likely to benefit from hormone replacement therapy. The MRC is always willing to consider scientifically sound proposals for research which will be considered in competition with other applications.

Mr. Ashley

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what advice, and from whom, he has received about the side effects and long-term risks of hormone replacement therapy when the hormone is taken over a long period;

(2) what advice he has received about the effectiveness of hormone replacement therapy in preventing osteoporosis in women; and from whom;

(3) what information he has on the benefits and risks of hormone replacement therapy.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

The Department obtains its advice and information on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and osteoporosis from experts and advisers working in the field and from published work in the scientific press. It also receives advice from working groups set up by professional or other bodies such as the Royal College of Physicians working group on fractured neck of femur.

Recently the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists was given funds by the Department towards the funding of a study group of experts on HRT and osteoporosis.

HRT has a role to play in the prevention of osteoporosis and the treatment of menopausal symptoms; it is also possible that HRT may lead to a reduction in heart disease and strokes. However, since there may be risks, such as a possible increased risk of developing breast cancer, as well as benefits associated with its use, the individual patient's suitability for HRT is a matter for the clinical judgment of her doctor.

In the past HRT has been associated with an increased risk of cancer of the womb; however, it is believed that HRT containing combined oestrogen-progestogen substantially reduces this risk.

Mr. Ashley

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what is the current cost to the National Health Service of hormone replacement therapy; and what the cost would be if all women aged between 50 and 60 years took the treatment;

(2) what is the estimated number of women having hormone replacement therapy; and what percentage this is of the women at risk of osteoporosis.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

Information is not available in the form requested. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can be administered in a variety of forms. The current cost to the NHS in England and Wales of oral HRT prescriptions is around £4 million per annum. This figure does not include women using implants or stick-on patches or who receive HRT on private prescriptions.

The Department has recently agreed to fund an economic evaluation of HRT, which will look at its costs and benefits in relation to osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease and breast cancer.

Mr. Ashley

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research has been undertaken into a possible link between hormone replacement therapy and increased cancers.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

I refer the right hon. Member to the reply that my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State gave to the hon. Member for Antrim, East (Mr. Beggs) on 12 December 1989 at column627.

The Department of Health is about to commission a review of osteoporosis and related problems which will investigate the statistical association between hormone replacement therapy and cancer risk.