§ Dr. FrancisTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many National Institute for Clinical Excellence products increased their price above the accepted rate of inflation in 2002; and whether his Department issues guidelines to NICE on what action to take in such circumstances; [97301]
(2) what provisions the National Institute for Clinical Excellence has in place to prevent the treatment producer from increasing the cost once NICE has conducted a cost qualitative assessment of a treatment and approved it. [97302]
§ Mr. Lammy[holding answers 12 February 2003]: Companies which are members of the Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme may not increase the price of any branded licensed National Health Service medicine Without the prior approval of the Department of Health. The Department's records show that none of the pharmaceutical products appraised by National Institute for Clinical Excellence were increased in price during 2002.
The NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency negotiates contracts for other products on behalf of the NHS in England. The Agency is not aware of any products where the price has increased as a direct result of a positive appraisal by NICE.