§ Mr. BoswellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice he has issued to strategic health authorities and primary care trusts on(a) the implementation timetable for anti-TNFa drugs and (b) the implications for budgets. [52253]
§ Jacqui Smith[holding answer 29 April 2002]: There has been no guidance issued for the implementation of NICE appraisal of anti-TNF drugs. However, on 5 December 2001, the Government announced that it would meet its commitment to ensure that patients receive drugs and treatments recommended by NICE on the national health service if deemed appropriate by their clinicians. Directions have been issued obliging health authorities and primary care trusts to provide appropriate funding for recommended treatments. The overall expected costs of NICE guidance are taken into account when NHS budgets are set.