Written question asked by Adam Holloway (Conservative) on Wednesday, 30 November 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 2 December 2005. It was answered by Jane Kennedy (Labour) on Tuesday, 20 December 2005 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Herceptin

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to make extra resources available for primary care trusts to fund the provision of Herceptin for women with early stage breast cancer.

Answer: The cost of Herceptin will need to be met from the existing settlement agreed for the national health service.We understand that some trusts are already under financial pressures and may have to make difficult decisions in achieving this. However, we have greatly increased the amount of money going into the NHS and those trusts with deficits have financial recovery plans in place.Funding of the NHS has increased from £34.7 billion in 1997–98 to £69.7 billion in 2004–05. By 2007–08 spending on the NHS will have increased to £92 billion.

Secondary information