§ Mr. Paul MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of Dysport in the treatment of cerebral palsy. [119467]
§ Ms StuartDysport ("Clostridium botulinum" toxin, marketing authorisation holder Ipsen Limited) has been investigated over a number of years for use as an injection into spastic muscles of children with cerebral palsy, to relieve the muscle spasticity. Cerebral palsy can result in calf muscle spasticity, causing the foot to turn outwards and so interfering with gait and sometimes with the ability to walk. When used in the appropriate dose, injection of botulinum toxin into the calf muscles can improve gait and enable walking.
The Medicines Control Agency undertook a full assessment of reports of these studies, to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Dysport used in this way, in November 1999. On the basis of this assessment the licence for Dysport was varied to allow marketing for the indication
'Treatment of dynamic equinus foot deformity due to spasticity in paediatric cerebral palsy patients, two years of age or older, only in hospital specialist centres with appropriately trained personnel.'Dynamic equinus foot deformity is the result of spasticity in the calf muscle.