§ Mr. HealdTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he has received the provisional findings of NICE in respect of atypical medicines for the treatment of schizophrenia; and if he will publish them. [13780]
§ Ms BlearsI apologise to the hon. Member for the delay in responding to this question. I refer him to the reply that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State gave my hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool, North and Fleetwood (Mrs. Humble) on 5 March 2002,Official Report, column 192W.
The Department has received the provisional and final appraisal determinations. We expect NICE to produce guidance on atypical anti-psychotics within the next few weeks providing there are no appeals.