Written question asked by Nick Gibb (Conservative) on Tuesday, 3 June 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 10 June 2003. It was answered by Hazel Blears (Labour) on Tuesday, 10 June 2003 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on the (a) efficacy and (b) availability within the NHS of oxaliplatin.

Answer: Mr. Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the (a) efficacy and (b) availability within the NHS of oxaliplatin. [117166] Ms Blears: In March 2002, the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) published recommendations on the use of oxaliplatin for the treatment of advanced bowel cancer. NICE recommended that oxaliplatin, in combination with fluorouracil and folinic acid, should be considered for use as first-line treatment for advanced bowel cancer in patients who have metastases that occur only in the liver, which may become operable following treatment. The national health service is now implementing NICE'S recommendations on this drug. NICE is due to review these recommendations in April 2005.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 117166; 406 c842W;406 c842-3W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Drugs Medical treatments Prescription drugs National Institute for Clinical Excellence Bowel cancer Oxaliplatin
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk