§ Mr. TippingTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what steps he has taken to ensure that beta interferon is available on a consistent basis nationally; [15637]
(2) what advice has been issued to health authorities about the prescribing of beta interferon; if he will place copies of correspondence on that advice in the Library; and if he will make a statement. [15636]
§ Mr. MaloneExecutive letter (95)97 issued in November suggested that beta interferon should be prescribed by hospital neurologists to treat multiple sclerosis where clinically appropriate and within local agreements between health authorities and hospitals. The 97W guidance was accompanied by clinical advice from the Standing Medical Advisory Committee. Copies of both documents are available in the Library.
§ Mr. TippingTo ask the Secretary of States for Health what extra resources he has made available to health authorities to enable beta interferon to be available to patients. [15638]
§ Mr. MaloneAs with other hospital-prescribed drugs, the costs of prescribing beta interferon are expected to be met from within health authority general allocations, having regard to local priorities. These allocations take account of overall cost pressures and potential efficiency and other savings within the national health service.