Written question asked by Laurence Robertson (Conservative) on Wednesday, 12 December 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 18 December 2007. It was answered by Baroness Primarolo (Labour) on Tuesday, 18 December 2007 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Lucentis

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance he has issued on the prescribing of Lucentis; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: I have not issued any guidance on the prescribing of Lucentis.Lucentis is licensed for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration and there are no national restrictions on the prescribing of this drug within its licensed indications.The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is currently appraising Lucentis and Macugen for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration and expects to publish final guidance in the new year.In the absence of NICE guidance, primary care trusts are expected to make their own decisions on the funding of specific treatments based on an assessment of the available evidence.

Secondary information