To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the likely effect of the draft guidance on drug eluting stents proposed by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence on the provision of (a) percutaneous coronary intervention and (b) coronary artery bypass grafting by the NHS if the draft guidance on drug eluting stents remains unchanged; what estimate he has made of the financial effect of any such change in provision; and if he will make a statement. (173950)

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is reviewing its October 2003 guidance on the use of drug-eluting stents for the treatment of coronary artery disease. NICE is currently considering the responses it has received from stakeholders during the recent consultation on its draft recommendations.

NICE expects to publish final guidance in March 2008 so it would be inappropriate to comment at this time.