HC Deb 12 November 1996 vol 285 cc155-6W
Mr. Barron

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the impact of the extension of the Prodigy pilot study on(a) inward investment by non-United Kingdom-owned pharmaceutical companies, (b) research and development expenditure by the United Kingdom pharmaceutical industry, (c) export performance by the United Kingdom pharmaceutical industry and (d) the introduction in the United Kingdom of new medicines; and if he will make a statement. [3294]

Mr. Malone

None.

Mr. Barron

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what consultations there were with patient groups over the drafting of the patient advice leaflets provided in the Prodigy pilot study; and if he will make a statement; [3290]

(2) when the steering group of the NHS executive's patient partnership initiative was consulted about the recommendations on prescribing in the Prodigy pilot study and the contents of the patient advice leaflets; and if he will make a statement; [3295]

(3) what steps he has taken to ensure that the prescribing recommendations in the Prodigy pilot study (a) are up-to-date, (b) are fully evaluated and (c) have as their primary purpose the greatest possible improvement in patient health; and if he will make a statement. [3432]

Mr. Malone

Prodigy is a research project to assess the value and acceptability of decision support for general practitioners. The prescribing recommendations and patient advice leaflets for the pilot were derived from respected sources including the British National Formulary and validated by a multi-professional group.

Formal consultation at this stage would not have been appropriate, although we are in discussion with a number of interested parties about possible enhancements for the next phase of the project. The Department recently held a seminar, chaired by the chief medical officer, to look at which processes could be used to develop the therapeutic guidance and advice leaflets if it is ultimately decided to implement a national decision support system. A large measure of agreement was reached on the basis of a process which would be transparent, open and professional and reflect the latest evidence-based information. The seminar was attended by professional interests, patient groups, NHS management and the pharmaceutical industry.

Mr. Barron

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the total cost to date of the Prodigy pilot study; how this cost is broken down; what estimates he has made of the cost to his Department of phases 2 and 3 of the study; and what estimate he has made of the cost of extending the project to all United Kingdom general practices. [3293]

Mr. Malone

The total cost to date is £1,900,000. Costs for phase 2 are currently being negotiated. Any decision on future roll-out will be taken in light of the research findings which will also indicate the likely costs.

Mr. Barron

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the impact on patient care and the results of treatment of implementing the recommendations of the Prodigy pilot study about prescribing; and what further steps he is taking to assess the impact. [3287]

Mr. Malone

Prodigy is a three-year research and development project the results of which will not be known until late 1997.