§ Vernon CoakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what recent discussions he has had with the drug companies about the cost of beta interferon; [31195]
(2) what progress he has made with trials to extend the availability of beta interferon to people with MS; and if he will make a statement. [31194]
§ Ms BlearsDiscussions are continuing with the manufacturers of the four disease modifying drugs for multiple sclerosis. These discussions are dependent upon the final guidance about these drugs from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence.
§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what discussions his Department has had with the(a) MS Society, (b) manufacturers and (c) neurologists, about options for continuing the availability of beta interferon and glatiramer within the NHS; when he expects those discussions to be concluded; and if he will make a statement concerning the timing of a trial; [13108]
(2) by what date everyone with MS who is eligible for beta interferon will have received these drugs under the proposed prescription plus monitoring scheme; [29267]
(3) what assessment he has made of how consultant (a) neurologists and (b) specialist nurses in post will cope with implementing the prescription plus monitoring scheme for beta interferon; and whether any further resources will be made available to facilitate the scheme; [29282]
(4) when he plans to issue the first prescriptions for beta interferon under the proposed prescription plus monitoring scheme; and if he will make an announcement on this. [29268]
§ Ms BlearsDiscussions are continuing with the manufacturers of the four disease modifying drugs for multiple sclerosis. These discussions are dependent upon the final guidance about these drugs from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence.