To ask the Secretary of State for Health which drugs were not approved by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence which were assessed to have a cost per quality-adjusted-life-year of between £30,000 and £35,000 in each year since 2000; and if she will make a statement. (87745)

[holding answer 24 July 2006]: An analysis has been undertaken of drugs not approved by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), taking into account appraisals published between 1 January 2000 and 27 July 2006. Of the drugs appraised but not approved by NICE, none fell exactly into the cost quality-adjusted-life-year (QALY) range of between £30,000 and £35,000, although NICE’s appraisal of Anakinra for rheumatoid arthritis (published in November 2003) identified a wide potential cost per QALY range of between £20,000 and £952,000. Further information on this appraisal can be found on NICE’s website at www.nice.org.uk