§ Mr. SwayneTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations he has received regarding the use of photodynamic therapy for macular disease; and if he will make a statement. [61513]
§ Mr. LammySince January 2002, the Department has received eight letters from members of the public, 88 letters from Members of Parliament on behalf of constituents, and 16 parliamentary questions about the availability of photodynamic therapy as a treatment for age-related macular degeneration.
The National Institute for Clinical Excellence are currently carrying out an appraisal of photodynamic therapy. NICE published their final appraisal determination on the use of photodynamic therapy as a treatment for age-related macular degeneration on 12 June. The appraisal process has not yet been completed and NICE have not made any recommendations on photodynamic therapy. NICE are seeking the views of consultees during the appeal process and will consider carefully any points that are made. NICE's recommendations may change as a result of the appeal process. The earliest guidance could be available is at the end of July or early August.
§ Mr. Laurence RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many people in the UK suffer from age-related macular degeneration; what assessment he has made of the treatment available to them; and if he will make a statement; [62564]
(2) if he will make a statement on the prescribing of photodynamic therapy for sufferers of wet age-related macular degeneration. [62565]
§ Ms Blears[holding answer 17 June 2002]:A study sponsored by the macular disease society in 2001 estimated that there were 182,000 people with age related macular degeneration with a best eye visual acuity below that judged appropriate for certification as blind or partially sighted. Around 10 to 15 per cent. of those will have the 'wet' type of the condition, for which photodynamic therapy is intended as a treatment. However it is not possible to say in how many cases the treatment would be effective.
The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) are currently carrying out an appraisal of photodynamic therapy. NICE published their final appraisal determination on the use of photodynamic therapy as a treatment for age related macular degeneration on 12 June. The appraisal process has not yet been completed and NICE have not made any recommendations on photodynamic therapy. NICE are seeking the views of consultees during the appeal process and will consider carefully any points that are made. NICE's recommendations may change as a result of the appeal process. The earliest guidance could be available at the end of July or early August.
In August 1999 the Department issued Health Service Circular 1999/176 which asks the NHS bodies to continue with local arrangements for the managed introduction of new technologies where guidance from NICE is not 1080W available at the time the technology first became available. These arrangements should involve an assessment of all the available evidence.