§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress is being made to make(a) beta interferon and (b) glatiramer available for MS sufferers by (i) primary care trusts and (ii) hospital trusts serving Sutton and Cheam. [68991]
§ Mr. HuttonSutton and Merton Primary Care Trust (PCT) has implemented National Institute for Clinical Excellence recommendations of prescribing drugs for patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). All eligible patients are being fully funded. These services are being provided to MS patients in Sutton and Cheam, at Atkinson Morley Hospital which is part of St. George's Healthcare National Health Service Trust.
Copaxone (glatiramer acetate) is available on the NHS under the 'risk-sharing scheme for disease modifying drugs for multiple sclerosis (MS) that came into operation on 6 May 2002.