MENTAL ILLNESS DRUG ACCESS

Early day motion 14, tabled 13 November 2002 by Liam Fox (Conservative). Signed by 63 members.

That this House notes the concerns of the Zito Trust that many patients with severe mental illness are being denied access to modern drugs which reduce the devastating side-effects of some older treatments and that there are huge regional variations in prescribing rates for the modern medicines; notes that NICE is currently appraising these modern medicines, but is forced by Government inappropriately to take affordability into account in doing so; further notes that widespread general concern amongst mental health professionals, users and carers that the Government is not delivering improvements in treatment; and urges the Government to take steps to ensure that mental health is a secure priority and that promised improvements are achieved in practice.

Signatures by party: Conservative 54, Liberal Democrat 3, UUP 3, DUP 1, Independent Conservative 1, Plaid Cymru 1.