§ Baroness Jay of Paddingtonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is their estimate of the additional costs to the NHS in England in 1996–97 and 1997–98 of combination drug therapy in treating individuals with HIV/AIDS, in the light of the Delta trial, and how much additional funding has been provided in the Public Expenditure Settlement for the NHS in England in 1996–97.
§ Baroness CumberlegeThe findings published on the Delta clinical trial remain preliminary. We will be studying the detailed results when they are available. We do not yet know what the likely take-up will be of 75WA the combination drug therapies, but we are keeping the issue of new treatments for HIV/AIDS under review. Health authorities receive funding which allows for significant drug therapy costs, including the costs of AZT, which is one of the drugs used in combination therapies. National Health Service current spending will grow by £1.3 billion in 1996–97, a 1.6 per cent. real terms increase.