Written question asked by Simon Burns (Conservative) on Monday, 17 December 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 25 February 2002. It was answered by Yvette Cooper (Labour) on Monday, 25 February 2002 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to introduce a uniform, standardised test for apolypoproteius. - (Holding answer 8 February 2002).

Answer: Mr. Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to introduce a uniform, standardised test for apolipoproteins. [24649] Yvette Cooper: [holding answer 8 February 2002]: The measurement of apolipoproteins in the blood may be useful in predicting coronary heart disease. However total cholesterol and high and low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels remain the standard tests in clinical practice. NHS pathology services carrying out routine apolipoprotein testing (rather than or as an additional indicator of coronary heart disease) will need to be assured of its value in patient care, to use a standard technique and to be part of an accredited external quality assurance scheme. Our Pathology Modernisation Programme strongly encourages this approach.

Secondary information