To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of the likely cost per patient of providing the drug Alimta (Pemetrexed). (144018)

During the course of its appraisal of Alimta for malignant plural mesothelioma, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence estimated the average cost of treatment at around £8,000 per patient, assuming five treatment cycles and based on the drug’s published list price.

We have made no separate assessment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what budget has been allocated by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence for its appraisal of the drug Alimta (Pemetrexed). (144019)

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) does not allocate specific budgets for the conduct of individual appraisals. NICE’s business plan for 2007-08 indicates that it has allocated around £3.3 million to its Centre for Health Technology Evaluation in the current financial year. In addition, NICE’s appraisal work is supported by the National Health Service Health Technology Assessment programme, which is funded separately by the Department.