HC Deb 26 June 2001 vol 370 cc74-5W
Rev. Martin Smyth

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he plans to allow new drugs to be used in the treatment of arthritis. [779]

Mr. Hutton

Infliximab (Remicade) and etanercept (Enbrel) are currently being appraised by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE). Until NICE has completed its appraisal, National Health Service bodies have been advised to use their existing arrangements to determine local policies based on the publicly available evidence. NICE expects to issue guidance in October 2001 unless there are appeals against its determination.