§ Mr. HurstTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to introduce a screening programme to identify those at risk from osteoporosis. [158766]
§ Yvette CooperScreening for osteoporosis was considered by the United Kingdom national screening committee (NSC) in June 1999. The NSC recommended that screening should not be offered as there was no simple, reliable test for osteoporosis that would meet its criteria for a screening programme. At present there is a comprehensive approach for the prevention and treatment of this disease (hormone replacement therapy, diet, exercise and the use of specific drugs) which can be directed towards the general population.