§ Mrs. Iris RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on progress made in 2003(a) to increase the number of multiple sclerosis sufferers commencing beta interferon treatment and (b) to provide more specialist staff for multiple sclerosis treatment. [105191]
§ Mr. BrowneThere are several disease modifying medicines (three beta interferon products and glatiramer) currently available for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). To meet the needs of all MS patients, including those who have been assessed as suitable for treatment with disease modifying drugs, there is also a requirement to secure the services of professionals with specialist expertise.
Such treatment is supplied through the regional neurology services based at the Royal Group of Hospitals (RGH). They recently advertised for MS specialist nurses and interviews are scheduled to take place in April 2003. It is anticipated that this will both sustain current services and enhance provision for MS sufferers.
RGH has appointed two additional pharmacists to commence in April 2003 and a pharmacy technician to enhance services for patients who receive specialist medicines, including disease-modifying drugs. Beyond 533W this, two additional pharmacy members of staff have been appointed to specifically enhance delivery of pharmacy services for MS patients.
At the end of February 2003, the RGH pharmacy was supplying disease-modifying drugs to 444 patients. This figure does not include patients who are taking a break from treatment for clinical and other reasons, nor those who are being supplied drugs through third party commercial suppliers—for example, a number of additional patients in the Western Health and Social Services Board area have been offered treatment through a contract with a private sector organisation.