§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has commissioned in the last four years into prescribing of(a) traditional and (b) atypical antipsychotic medication to older people (i) in general, (ii) in care homes and (iii) in hospitals. [7393]
§ Jacqui SmithThe Department, through the health technology assessment (HTA) programme, has funded research to the value of over £1.4 million on antipsychotic medication in general. This includes a multi-centre randomised controlled trial on the cost utility of antipsychotics in severe schizophrenia, a systematic evaluation of the clinical and cost-effectiveness of "atypical" antipsychotics in the treatment of schizophrenia and systematic reviews of (i) comparative studies of depot neuroleptic agents and (ii) studies of oral versus depot neuroleptic agents for patients with schizophrenia.
The HTA programme has also undertaken a review for the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) on the clinical effectiveness and cost- effectiveness of the newer (atypical) antipsychotic drugs in the treatment of schizophrenia. This includes some reference to older people. NICE has started its appraisal and the appraisal committee will produce the provisional appraisal determination this month and final guidance is expected in March 2002.
Through such measures as the National Service Framework for Older People and the Care Standards Act 2000, the Department has set out clear requirements for the proper management of medicines for older people. 1036W This includes specific reference to existing guidance on the appropriate prescribing of antipsychotic drugs and other medication for mental health problems.