HC Deb 21 October 2003 vol 411 c543W
Mr. Hoban

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many primary care trusts pay for the prescribing of Fabrazyme; and which do not pay for it; [133575]

(2) what guidance has been issued on the treatment of Fabry Disease; [133576]

(3) what guidance has been issued to (a) primary care trusts and (b) NHS acute hospitals trusts on prescribing Fabrazyme. [133577]

Dr. Ladyman

No central guidance on the treatment of Fabry's Disease or on the prescribing of Fabrazyme has been issued to primary care trusts or acute hospitals.

The Prescription Pricing Authority only collects prescription information on drugs dispensed in the primary care setting. We have no record of Fabrazyme being dispensed in the community in England. Information is not collected centrally on drugs dispensed in secondary care so we would be unable to say if it had been prescribed in a hospital setting.

Although the forthcoming national service framework for long term conditions will not deal directly with Fabry's Disease it is expected to set standards that will improve support and care for people with long term conditions and disabilities.