§ Lord Morris of Manchesterasked Her Majesty's Government:
How much was spent in each of the last five years for which figures are available on research directly funded from the Department of Health and through the Medical Research Council into the causes and treatment effects of age-related macular degeneration: and what proposals they have for increasing such funding in the next financial year. [HL2391]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathThe main government agency for research into the causes and treatment of disease is the Medical Research Council (MRC), 85WA which is funded through the Department of Trade and Industry. The MRC has supported research on macular degeneration since 1997 that would be of direct relevance. Estimated expenditure since then is as follows:
1997–98 £300,000 1998–99 £82,000 1999–2000 £78,000 2000–01 £140,000 The MRC always welcomes high quality applications for support into any aspect of human health and these are judged in open competition with other demands on funding. Awards are made according to their scientific quality and importance to human health.
The Department of Health has supported, through national and regional programmes, research on macular degeneration. Projects include an ongoing project due to complete in July 2002 on A clinical technique for measuring macular pigment optical density in patients with macular degeneration.