HL Deb 16 July 1998 vol 592 cc53-5WA
Lord Morris of Manchester

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have sought advice regarding the prescription of donepezil hydrochloride (Aricept); if so, from whom and whether the advice has been acted upon; and [HL2730]

What representations they have received from the Alzheimer's Disease Society and others regarding the prescription of donepezil hydrochloride (Aricept). [HL2731]

Baroness Jay of Paddington

Advice on the prescription of donepezil hydrochloride (Aricept) for Alzheimer's disease was obtained from the Royal College of Psychiatrists. This was the basis of the advice prepared by the Standing Medical Advisory Committee referred to in my reply to the noble Lord today.

Ministers have met Mr. Harry Cayton, Chief Executive of the Alzheimer's Disease Society to discuss the availability of donepezil hydrochloride on the National Health Service. Representations have also been received from Members of Parliament and members of the public about this issue.

Lord Morris of Manchester

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, in pursuance of their policy as stated in the White Paper The New NHS aimed at creating a genuinely national NHS based on need rather than ability to pay, they will ensure that equality will be introduced in the prescription of new treatments such as the Alzheimer's disease drug, donepezil hydrochloride (Aricept), currently denied to patients in over half the health authority areas in the United Kingdom; and when guidelines for the prescription of Aricept will be published. [HL2668]

Baroness Jay of Paddington

Guidance on the prescription of donepezil hydrochloride (Aricept) has been prepared by the Standing Medical Advisory Committee and was issued on 30 April 1998 to Health Authority Directors of Public Health and National Health Service Trust Medical Directors in England. The guidance has been circulated widely within the NHS.

The consultation document A First Class Service, published on 1 July, copies of which are available in the Library, sets out a modernisation programme to deliver more consistent and higher quality care for patients. The new National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) will produce clear guidance for clinicians about which treatments work best for which patients, based on an assessment of their clinical and cost effectiveness.

Lord Morris of Manchester

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many people across the United Kingdom are currently being prescribed donepezil hydrochloride (Aricept) through the NHS; and what is the cost to the NHS. [HL2669]

Baroness Jay of Paddington

Information on the number of people who are being prescribed donepezil hydrochloride is not available. However, the number of prescription items dispensed in the community in England for the last three quarters of 1997 was 7,200.

Lord Morris of Manchester

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Which health authorities in the United Kingdom are currently allowing the prescription of donepezil hydrochloride (Aricept) for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. [HL2670]

Baroness Jay of Paddington

This information is not collected centrally. However, data for the period January to March 1998 show that Aricept was dispensed against general practitioner prescription in most health authorities.