§ Mr. AmessTo ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his response to the Adjournment Debate or rheumatoid arthritis of 17 July 2003,Official Report, columns 537–42, what the evidential basis was for his statement that postcode prescribing of anti-TNF therapy is now rare. [131899]
§ Dr. LadymanImplementation of the National Institute of Clinical Excellence drug appraisals in the national health service has had an impact in reducing 471W postcode prescribing. More patients are now able to get the drugs they need. The Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance report appears to support this, as almost two-thirds of the rheumatologists surveyed reported no problems. Anti-TNF drugs should help approximately 15,000 people. The manufacturers of these drugs estimate that around 9,000 patients are already benefiting.