§ Mrs. Iris RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on research into Alefacept use for treating psoriasis; and what plans he has to introduce this in Northern Ireland. [157337]
§ Dr. LadymanWe have no plans to undertake research into the use of Alefacept for treating psoriasis. Alefacept does not have a United Kingdom Marketing Authorisation. As an unlicensed medicine, doctors may prescribe it on a named-patient basis, but it will only be available on the national health service if the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency grants it a licence.
Decisions on health policy in Northern Ireland are the responsibility of Ministers in the Northern Ireland Office whilst the institutions are suspended.