Written question asked by Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party) on Tuesday, 7 November 2023, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 9 November 2023. It was answered by Will Quince (Conservative) on Thursday, 9 November 2023 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Antibiotics

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to take steps to make (a) Cefiderocol and (b) Ceftazidimethose available on the NHS.

Answer: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is the independent body responsible for developing evidence-based guidance for the National Health Service on whether new medicines represent a clinically and cost-effective use of resources. NICE published guidance in August 2022 recommending both ceftazidime with avibactam and cefiderocol for treating severe drug-resistant gram-negative bacterial infections. This was as part of a project to test a new health technology evaluation process and payment model for antimicrobial products. NHS England has now issued contracts with the suppliers and cefiderocol and ceftazidime with avibactamare available for clinicians to prescribe in line with NICE’s recommendations.

Secondary information