§ Lord Morris of Manchesterasked Her Majesty's Government:
What consideration they have given to the findings of the British Liver Trust's report Hepatitis C—The Public Stealth Disease; and what action they are taking in response to its call for concerted action to make the disease an urgent public health priority. [HL5774]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathThe Department of Health published a consultation documentHepatitis C Strategy for England on 14 August 2002, in recognition of the importance of hepatitis C as a public health issue. The Chief Medical Officer's infectious disease strategy, Getting Ahead of the Curve, has also highlighted hepatitis C as a priority area requiring intensified action.
The hepatitis C strategy addresses many of the issues raised by the British Liver Trust report and proposes developing professional and public awareness of hepatitis C and strengthening services for its prevention, diagnosis and treatment. The proposals in the strategy are intended to form the basis of an action plan for hepatitis C, which is due to be produced by the end of 2002.
Services for hepatitis C in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are the responsibility of the devolved administrations.
§ Lord Morris of Manchesterasked Her Majesty's Government:
What consideration they have given to the endorsement by the Scottish Medicine's Consortium of an advanced pegylated alfa interferon treatment for use in the National Health Service in Scotland for patients infected with hepatitis C; and whether they will make it available to patients elsewhere in the United Kingdom. [HL5775]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathWe have asked the National Institute for Clinical Excellence to appraise the clinical and cost effectiveness of pegylated interferons compared with conventional interferons in the treatment and management of chronic hepatitis C infection. The institute expects to issue guidance in November 2003.
In August 1999, the Department of Health issued Health Service Circular 1999/176, which asks the National Health Service bodies to continue with local arrangements for the managed introduction of new 27WA technologies where there is no guidance from NICE at the time the technology first becomes available. These arrangements should involve a local assessment of all the available evidence.
Treatment for hepatitis C in Wales and Northern Ireland is the responsibility of the devolved administrations.