Skip to main content

Written question asked by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath (Labour) on Wednesday, 25 March 2026, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Friday, 10 April 2026. It was answered by Baroness Merron (Labour) on Thursday, 16 April 2026 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.


Liothyronine

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government, given that NHS England’s 2023 guidance Liothyronine – advice for prescribers sets out a complete national prescribing pathway without including any requirement for local prior approval processes, what steps are they taking to ensure that Integrated Care Boards act consistently with this guidance.

Answer

NHS England’s policy guidance and prescribing advice on liothyronine reflects the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s recommendations and the evidence on liothyronine. That guidance recommends that liothyronine should not be routinely prescribed, because it is not clinically or cost-effective, but sets out the exceptions where it may be an appropriate consideration for prescribers.

NHS England expects commissioners and prescribers to have due regard to its guidance. While integrated care boards may determine their own implementation arrangements, as part of the new operating model, regions will oversee commissioner and provider performance, including access to high quality care and the reduction of health inequalities.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL15992
Session
2024-26
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Liothyronine
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk