Written question asked by Sue Doughty (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 7 September 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 16 September 2004. It was answered by Stephen Ladyman (Labour) on Thursday, 16 September 2004 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when the National Screening Committee plans to review its advice on osteoporosis screening; what plans he has to introduce screening for osteoporosis by means of DEXA scan for those who have specified risk factors for osteoporosis; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Sue Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) when the national screening committee plans to review its advice on osteoporosis screening; [188182] (2) what plans he has to introduce screening for osteoporosis by means of DEXA scan for those who have specified risk factors for osteoporosis; and if he will make a statement. [188183] Dr. Ladyman: The United Kingdom national screening committee (NSC) advises Ministers about all aspects of screening policy. The NSC assesses proposed new population screening programmes against a set of internationally recognised criteria covering the condition, the test, the treatment options and effectiveness and the acceptability of the screening programme. The current NSC policy is that there is insufficient evidence to offer population screening for osteoporosis. The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) has however commissioned a clinical guideline on the prevention, treatment and assessment of osteoporosis for those who have risk factors. The NSC will review its policy on population screening when NICE has published its clinical guideline.

Secondary information