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Written question asked by Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party) on Monday, 6 February 2017, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 8 February 2017. It was answered by Baroness Blackwood of North Oxford (Conservative) on Monday, 13 February 2017 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Hypertension and Sepsis: Medical Treatments

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the timetable is for availability on the NHS of a calcium channel blocker to tackle high blood pressure and sepsis.

Answer

Calcium channel blockers are a licensed treatment for high blood pressure (hypertension). The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guideline on ‘Hypertension in adults: diagnosis and management’, published in 2011, recommends calcium channel blockers for use in the treatment of hypertension.

NICE published a guideline on ‘Sepsis: recognition, diagnosis and early management’ in July 2016 which covers the recognition, diagnosis and early management of sepsis for all populations. The guideline did not include any recommendation to use calcium channel blockers in this condition. In the absence of NICE guidance on the use of a treatment, healthcare professionals will assess scientific research as it emerges but will only change treatment practice when this is supported by evidence.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
63221
Session
2016-17
Subjects
Medical treatments Hypertension Calcium Sepsis
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk