§ Bob SpinkTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment he has made of the establishment of the structures necessary to assess MS patients in respect of their suitability for the use of beta interferon; [63147]
(2) how many MS patients have commenced assessment for eligibility for beta interferon in the first 303W four weeks since the scheme was launched on 6 May in each regional health authority; and if he will make a statement. [63145]
§ Mr. LammyIt has been estimated that up to 9,000 multiple sclerosis patients in England and Wales may be eligible to receive treatment under the risk-sharing scheme, which started on 6 May 2002. Some centres have now started prescribing under the scheme, though the guidance in Health Service Circular 2002–004 recognises that appropriate national health service infrastructure may not yet be in place in some localities. The scheme co-ordinator will collect information on progress and activity under the scheme, but as yet such details are not available centrally.