BETA INTERFERON AND GLATIRAMER ACETATE

Early day motion 158, tabled 17 July 2001 by Paul Burstow (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 75 members.

That this House notes with concern the decision by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence to delay its final report on the NHS use of disease modifying drugs (beta interferon and glatiramer acetate) in multiple sclerosis; further notes that the appraisal process will have taken nearly two years to reach a decision on licensed drugs which have been widely prescribed in other countries for a number of years; recognises that this delay will mean some people with multiple sclerosis will accumulate levels of irreversible disability which will put them beyond the point at which they may benefit from these drugs; and calls upon the National Institute for Clinical Excellence swiftly to recommend that these drugs should be prescribed in the National Health Service according to the guidelines issued by the Association of British Neurologists and for the Government to accept the recommendation.

Signatures by party: Labour 36, Liberal Democrat 28, Conservative 3, Labour/Co-operative 3, Scottish National Party 3, Plaid Cymru 1, UUP 1.