Written question asked by Daniel Kawczynski (Conservative) on Wednesday, 24 May 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 5 June 2006. It was answered by Baroness Winterton of Doncaster (Labour) on Monday, 12 June 2006 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Herceptin

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will meet Shropshire Primary Care Trust to discuss the provision of Herceptin to those with early stage breast cancer in Shropshire.

Answer: It is for individual clinicians, in discussion with a patient, to decide whether or not it is suitable to prescribe a specific drug. Primary care trusts (PCTs) may need to be involved to decide whether to support the clinician's decision and supply the drug at the national health service's expense. PCTs need to take a range of factors into account, including local factors, when considering the funding of drugs and other treatments.The Department is aware that Shropshire county PCT has recently revised its policy on individual patient requests for drugs and is currently reviewing the cases of women who have recently been refused funding for Herceptin in line with this. This is a matter for the local health community and the Secretary of State has no plans to meet the PCT to discuss it.

Secondary information