Written question asked by Cheryl Gillan (Conservative) on Wednesday, 25 February 2015, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 2 March 2015 (named day). It was answered by George Freeman (Conservative) on Monday, 2 March 2015 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Muscular Dystrophy: Drugs

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if the Minister for Life Sciences will hold a further meeting with families of people with Duchenne muscular dystrophy on the availability of the drug Translarna.

Answer: I have had a number of meetings with patients and their families, hon. Members, charities and patient groups and I am keeping in close contact via correspondence with families and campaigners on this issue and on the availability of another drug, Vimizim for the treatment of Morquio syndrome. Whilst the key decisions are for the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and NHS England, I have also met with the manufacturers and NHS England and had discussions with NICE about ensuring as rapid a decision as possible and I am doing all I can to help those affected and get a swift resolution to this situation.

Secondary information