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Chronic Fatigue

Answer

The main agency through which the Government supports medical and clinical research is the Medical Research Council (MRC). The MRC is an independent body, funded by the Department of Trade and Industry via the Office of Science and Technology. The MRC does not normally allocate funds to particular topics: research proposals in all areas compete for the funding available. When appropriate, high quality research in particular areas of strategic importance may be given priority in competition for funds, but research excellence and importance to health continues to be the primary considerations in funding decisions. The MRC always welcomes high quality applications for support into any aspect of human health and these are judged in open competition with other demands on funding. The MRC is currently funding two complementary trials into various treatment options for chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) that aim to improve quality of life for those who are ill. The Department is meeting part of the cost of the trials, to which £4.2 million in total has been allocated. Patient recruitment began toward the end of last year. Since 1998, the Department has separately commissioned and funded a number of small scale research projects related to aspects of CFS/ME at a total cost of £293,000. Over 75 per cent. of the Department's total expenditure on health research is, however, devolved to and managed by national health service organisations. Details of individual projects, including some concerned with myalgic encephalomyelitis, can be found on the national research register at www.dh.gov.uk/research

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

2882; 435 c501-2W;435 c505-6W

Session

2005-06

Related items

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
Tuesday, 7 February 2006
Written questions
House of Commons

Subjects

ME/CFS Research