§ Mr. OatenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what target times have been set for(a) new and (b) similar products to be given approval for placement on the drug tariff; [R] [152308]
(2) what the waiting time is for (a) new and (b) similar products to be given approval for placement on the drug tariff. [R] [152309]
§ Ms StuartApplications for listing of appliances in part IX of the drug tariff take different lengths of time to consider depending on the complexity of any issues raised. Processing times are around a month in very simple cases but can be over a year in the more difficult cases. Types of product which are new to part IX tend to raise more complex issues and hence do take longer, but this is not invariably the case. Target times have not been set, but our constant aim is to deal with applications in the minimum time consistent with full consideration.