§ Mr. AmessTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what system of audit was set up alongside the risk sharing scheme for MS drug therapies announced in February; [73308]
(2) what information (a) PCTs and (b) strategic health authorities are required to provide to his Department in respect of the risk sharing scheme for MS drug therapies; [73309]
(3) What assessment he has made of the success of the risk sharing scheme for the MS drug therapies since its inception; [73310]
(4) if he will undertake an interim review to assess progress in implementing the risk sharing scheme for drug therapies for MS; and if he will make a statement. [73357]
§ Mr. LammyThe risk-sharing scheme is subject to the usual arrangements for clinical governance and audit adopted within the National Health Service. It is the role of the strategic health authority to ensure that policy is delivered appropriately in its area. Each neurology centre submits data to the scheme co-ordinator, Sheffield University's School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR).
Primary care trusts and strategic health authorities are not expected to report routinely to the Department, though we have, in this instance, requested reports on progress. We understand that, in most areas if treatment is not already being initiated, it will start over the autumn.