§ Sandra GidleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans he has to direct NICE to issue guidance on the use, of Herceptin in combination with taxanes for the treatmeat of women with breast cancer who are over-expressing the HER 2 marker; and if he will make a statement; [3264]
(2) if he will li5t the health authorities in England and Wales that are awaiting a decision from NICE on Herceptin before they will fund the drug for the treatment of women with breast cancer who are over-expressing the HER 2 marker; [3265]
(3) if NICE has completed its appraisal of the use of Herceptin in combination with taxanes for the treatment of women with breast cancer who are over-expressing the HER 2 marker; [3263]
(4) when he expects NICE to issue guidance on the use of Herceptin in the treatment of women with breast cancer who are over-expressing the HER 2 marker. [3290]
§ Ms Blears[holding answers 11 July 2001]: We understand that the publication date for the National Institute for Clinical Excellence's guidance in the use of trastuzumab (Herceptin) and vinorelbine for breast cancer has yet to be confirmed but is unlikely to be before the end of the year. Once the date is confirmed, details will be published on the Institute's website. We would expect NICE guidance to relate to the current licensed uses of trastuzumab.
601WWe do not hold a central list of the authorities which are awaiting a decision from the National Institute before they will fund trastuzumab. However, we expect that health authorities will continue an arrangements for the managed introduction of new technologies in line with Health Service Circular 1999/176 issued in August 1999, copies of which are available in the Library.