Written question asked by David Atkinson (Conservative) on Monday, 7 July 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 17 July 2003. It was answered by Stephen Ladyman (Labour) on Thursday, 17 July 2003 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what progress is being made by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence in appraising the drug Memantine for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. David Atkinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress is being made by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence in appraising the drug Memantine for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease; and if he will make a statement. [124980] Dr. Ladyman: The anticipated publication date of guidance by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) is May 2005. Details of the anticipated publication date of all NICE guidance can be found on the NICE web site at: www.nice.org.uk In the meantime, guidance issued in August 1999 to all National Health Service bodies asked them to continue with local arrangements for the managed introduction of new technologies where guidance from NICE is not available at the time the technology first became available.These arrangements should involve an assessment of all the relevant factors including the available evidence on the clinical effectiveness of the treatment.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 124980; 409 c630W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Alzheimer's disease Diseases Drugs Medical treatments Prescription drugs Memantine
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk