§ 25. Mr. Stephen O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about progress by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence in eliminating prescribing based on postcode areas. [131877]
§ Mrs. GormanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about progress by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence in eliminating postcode prescribing. [131871]
§ Mr. DenhamI welcome the progress which the National Institute for Clinical Excellence has already made. Authoritative, evidence-based guidance has been issued on a wide range of subjects including drug treatments. We have provided additional funding to enable the NHS to implement these recommendations and will be following up through performance management to ensure that they are taken up.