§ Mr. Laurence RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with health authorities regarding the prescribing of beta-interferon; what medical advice he has received regarding the benefits of that drug; what percentage of health authorities prescribe this drug; and if he will make a statement. [71192]
§ Mr. DenhamMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has had no discussions with health authorities regarding the prescribing of beta-interferon.
Clinical advice from the Standing Medical Advisory Committee on the use of beta-interferon-1b in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis in adults was included in guidance issued to health authorities in November 1995 to help the National Health Service prepare for the introduction of beta-interferon for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (Executive Letter (95) 97). This included advice that general practitioners should be encouraged not to prescribe beta-interferon themselves, and instead refer patients who apparently fulfil the indications for this form of treatment to a hospital neurologist.
735WThe majority of beta-interferon prescribing should therefore take place in hospitals. Hospital prescribing and dispensing data are not held centrally.