§ Mr. HeppellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what studies his Department has made of the differences in the annual cost of treatment using beta interferon between the UK and other countries; and what factors are responsible for these differences. [118530]
§ Mr. DenhamThe Department has made no studies of the cost of treatment in different countries. As far as the prices of the beta interferon medicines are concerned, the Department has information both from the manufacturers and from contacts in the health authorities of other countries. Direct comparisons of prices of products of this type are misleading because they are often supplied direct to hospitals, making list prices less significant. Furthermore some countries include distribution costs and some aspects of care within the list price while others account for them separately.
209WSubject to these qualifications, it can be said that in general the annual cost of beta interferons in the United Kingdom is slightly greater than in other European Union countries, reflecting currency movements since the products were introduced.
§ Mr. HeppellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reason there is no neuro-specialist on the NICE Committee which is examining beta interferon. [118541]
§ Mr. DenhamThe National Institute for Clinical Excellence Technology Appraisal Committee consists of 24 standing members, appointed for three years which combines patient advocates, National Health Service clinicians and mangers, academic experts, and industry representation. However, the standing committee is supported by technology-specific clinical experts brought in for a particular intervention. When the committee appraises beta interferon the clinical experts will be neurologists.
§ Mr. Paul MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will make a statement on how beta interferon is targeted for use by MS suffers in the National Health Service; [118329]
(2) what representations he has received (a) in favour of and (b) against extending the availability of beta interferon to MS sufferers; and if he will make a statement; [118348]
(3) if he will estimate the number of MS sufferers who will potentially benefit from beta interferon in reducing (a) the progress of MS and (b) the number of MS relapses; and if he will make a statement; [118330]
(4) what plans he has to fund large-scale trials of beta interferon in the treatment of MS sufferers; and if he will make a statement. [118331]
§ Mr. DenhamWe have asked the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) to conduct an authoritative appraisal of beta interferon as part of its first appraisal programme. NICE is expected to report in the summer.
It would be premature to speculate on the number of multiple sclerosis sufferers who will potentially benefit from beta interferon when NICE has not yet come to a view on clinical and cost effectiveness.
Over the past 12 months the Department's records indicate receipt of approximately 1,000 written representations from hon. Members, patient groups and the public expressing concern about the current arrangements for prescribing and funding of beta interferon.
Guidance issued by the Department in 1995, Executive Letter (95)97, recommends that health authorities should have in place arrangements for hospital specialists to initiate treatment in the light of medical evidence and local priorities.