§ Dr. FoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what the estimated cost was of treating sun-induced skin cancers in the last year. [53012]
§ Yvette CooperThe Department does not collect figures on the cost of NHS services in a way that enables an accurate figure to be calculated for the cost of a particular disease.
§ Mr. Paul MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will ask NICE to review its decision on the use of irinotecan and oxaliplatin in treating bowel cancer patients. [52971]
§ Mr. HuttonI understand that National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) has recommended that irinotecan and oxaliplatin should be used in specific clinical circumstances. We set up NICE to give authoritative guidance on when it is clinically and cost effective to use drugs and other treatments. NICE has undertaken a full appraisal of irinotecan, oxaliplatin and raltitrexed and has also considered an appeal against its initial decision. In the light of this, I do not expect NICE to review its decision except as part of its usual processes. The review will take place in April 2005, or earlier if significant new evidence becomes available.