§ Diana OrganTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what the underspend was on last year's budget for recombinant clotting factor for haemophilia patients in West Gloucestershire Primary Care Trust. [107959]
§ Ms BlearsI have been advised by West Gloucestershire Primary Care Trust that during the 2002–03 financial year, as part of a consortium commissioning arrangement, West Gloucestershire has incurred costs of £598,000, of which £512,000 relates to recombinant products, against estimated expenditure of £696,000 (based on costs in 2001–02).
Expenditure can vary significantly between financial years based on the number of patients receiving treatment, the number of units of blood products provided, and the costs of the products themselves.
§ Diana OrganTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what factors are preventing targets for the required amount of recombinant clotting factor for haemophilia patients being met; [107964]
(2) what the budget is for 2003–04 to provide recombinant clotting factor for haemophilia patients. [107962]
§ Ms BlearsHaemophilia patients up to the age of 21–22 are already receiving recombinant clotting factors. Extra funding will begin the process of extending these products to the remaining haemophilia patients aged over 21–22. The extra funding has been allocated over three years. In 2003–04, there is £13 million available.
We are working with key stakeholders including the Haemophilia Society, clinicians, primary care trusts and others to put in place a strategy to roll out access to these products. We aim to begin the roll out as soon as possible.