§ Mr. HammondTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what the total cost was of medicines prescribed for coronary heart disease on the NHS(a) in the last six month period for which data are available prior to, and (b) in the first six month period for which data are available since, the implementation of the national service framework for coronary heart disease. [146956]
§ Yvette CooperIt is not possible to identify the total cost of medicines prescribed for coronary heart disease on the National Health Service, as prescribing data are not broken down by the condition which is being treated. Most drugs used in the treatment of heart disease are also prescribed solely for people with, or at serious risk of, coronary heart disease. The most recent information on the cost of statins—for the quarter ending 30 June 2000— has been placed in the Library.
The National Service Framework (NSF) for coronary heart disease includes guidance on targeting statins towards the patients most likely to benefit from their use. The number of prescriptions for, and the cost of, statins have been rising since 1997. We expect that, as a result of the NSF, the marked recent increase in their use will continue.