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Written question asked by Clive Betts (Labour) on Monday, 16 March 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 19 March 2026 (named day). It was answered by Zubir Ahmed (Labour) on Thursday, 19 March 2026 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Blood Cancer: Immunotherapy

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that access to CAR‑T therapies for mantle cell lymphoma is consistent across the UK, in the context of its continued availability in Scotland.

Answer

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is re-evaluating brexucabtagene autoleucel following managed access through the Cancer Drugs Fund to determine whether it should be recommended for routine National Health Service funding. NICE’s draft guidance, published in December, does not recommend it as a clinically and cost-effective use of National Health Service resources. The Government recognises that any potential withdrawal for future patients with mantle cell lymphoma will be concerning, but these decisions are rightly taken independently and based on the available evidence. Under an arrangement between NHS England and the company, if NICE’s final guidance does not recommend routine use, patients who started treatment during the managed access period can continue their treatment.

NICE is an England-only body. Medicine availability decisions in the devolved administrations are for the relevant devolved governments.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
120765
Session
2024-26
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Blood cancer Immunotherapy
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk