To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence to make a decision on the approval of Macugen and Lucentis for general release. (155007)

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is currently appraising Lucentis (ranibizumab) and Macugen (pegaptanib) for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration. NICE published an Appraisal Consultation Document (ACD) on 14 June 2007 and we understand that, following consideration of comments received from consultees, a second ACD will be published later this year. NICE expects to publish final guidance next year. Further detailed information on this appraisal is available at:

www.guidance.nice.org.uk/page.aspx?o=207024.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health which primary care trusts in England commission the drugs Avestin and Lucentis for the treatment of wet-eye age-related macular degeneration. (155022)

The Department does not collect data on the number of primary care trusts (PCTs) in England commissioning Lucentis or Avastin.

The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) is currently carrying out an appraisal of Lucentis and Macugen, and final guidance is due next year.

Where NICE has not issued guidance, PCTs are expected to make their own decisions on the funding of specific treatments based on an assessment of the available evidence.

Avastin has not been licensed for use in macular degeneration, although if a patient is willing to be prescribed a drug off-label it is available on the clinician’s judgment and subject to funding by the PCT.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients were (a) granted and (b) refused NHS treatment for wet age-related macular degeneration in the most recent year for which figures are available in Northamptonshire. (155040)

The information requested is not held centrally.