To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the Government will fully fund the provision of Erbitox and Avastan to sufferers of bowel cancer; and if she will make a statement. (93142)

Provision is made in the allocation of funding to the health service for new and innovative drugs. It is a matter for local commissioners how best to deploy those resources.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence is developing guidance to the national health service on the use of bevacizumab (Avastin) and cetuximab (Erbitux) for the treatment of advanced bowel cancer. It has not yet issued final guidance.