§ Mr. HavardTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) whether the National Institute for Clinical Excellence has drawn up a list of stakeholders for the technology appraisal of erythropoietin in chemotherapy-induced anaemia; and if he will publish this list; [144472]
(2) what the scope of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence technology appraisal of erythropoietin for chemotherapy-induced anaemia will be; and when consultation will begin; [144473]
(3) if he will ensure that NHS trusts and primary care trusts do not limit funding for erythropoietin as a treatment for chemotherapy-induced anaemia during the National Institute for Clinical Excellence technology appraisal into its greater use. [144474]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonThe use of erythropoetin (EPO) for treating chemotherapy-induced anaemia has been referred to the National Institute for Clinical988W Excellence (NICE) as part of its "ninth wave" work programme. The ninth wave was referred to NICE in October 2003.
All information relating to the NICE appraisal of EPO will be on its website at: www.nice.org.uk on 23 December 2003. This information will include a planned date for when the final scope and list of stakeholders for the appraisal will be published. Detailed questions about the process and timetable for technology appraisal are matters for the chief executive of NICE.
Health Service Circular 1999/176 asks national health service bodies to continue with local arrangements for the managed introduction of new technologies where guidance from NICE is not available. These arrangements should involve an assessment of all the available evidence. Funding for such treatments should not be withheld simply because of an absence of guidance from NICE.