Written question asked by Ian Gibson (Labour) on Tuesday, 11 June 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 19 June 2002. It was answered by Hazel Blears (Labour) on Wednesday, 19 June 2002 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether primary care trusts are obliged to wait for NICE guidance on drug eluting stents before allowing their use in patients.

Answer: Dr. Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether primary care trusts are obliged to wait for NICE guidance on drug eluting stents before allowing their use in patients. [61628] Ms Blears: The absence of guidelines from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) does not prevent the national health service using new drugs or technologies. Standing guidance to the NHS says specifically that they should not wait for NICE guidance, but should in the interim, make a local decision about whether to fund particular interventions on the basis of the available published information.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 61628; 387 c437W
Session: 2001-02
Subjects: Heart diseases Medical treatments Primary care trusts Medical equipment
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk