§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to deal with medical problems associated with growth hormone deficiency. [73351]
§ Jacqui SmithClinicians are currently able to prescribe growth hormone, also known as somatropin, to patients with growth hormone deficiency.
The National Institute of Clinical Excellence did recommend the use of growth hormone in children earlier this year. It is currently appraising the clinical effectiveness and cost effectiveness of human growth hormone in adults. There was an appeal against their 20 August 2002 final appraisal determination. This appeal has been partially upheld. Further work will be done in this area with a final decision expected early in the new year.