Written question asked by Paul Burstow (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 8 July 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 17 July 2002. It was answered by Lord Hutton of Furness (Labour) on Wednesday, 17 July 2002 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what progress is being made to make (a) beta interferon and (b) glatiramer available for MS sufferers by (i) primary care trusts and (ii) hospital trusts serving Sutton and Cheam.

Answer: Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress is being made to make (a) beta interferon and (b) glatiramer available for MS sufferers by (i) primary care trusts and (ii) hospital trusts serving Sutton and Cheam. [68991] Mr. Hutton: Sutton and Merton Primary Care Trust (PCT) has implemented National Institute for Clinical Excellence recommendations of prescribing drugs for patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). All eligible patients are being fully funded. These services are being provided to MS patients in Sutton and Cheam, at Atkinson Morley Hospital which is part of St. George's Healthcare National Health Service Trust. Copaxone (glatiramer acetate) is available on the NHS under the `risk-sharing scheme for disease modifying drugs for multiple sclerosis (MS) that came into operation on 6 May 2002.

Secondary information