(2) what progress is being made in improving the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension; and if he will make a statement.
The Department has had no recent discussions with the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) on this issue.
NICE is currently conducting an appraisal of drugs for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension and has recently issued an appraisal consultation document setting out its draft conclusions. Stakeholders have until 20 March 2008 to submit comments, which will be considered by NICE in formulating its final guidance. NICE plans to issue final guidance later in 2008. Further information can be found on NICE’s website at:
www.nice.org.uk/guidance/index.jsp?action=byID&o=11708
In addition, the national pulmonary hypertension centres of the United Kingdom and Ireland have published “A Consensus Statement on the Management of Pulmonary Hypertension in Clinical Practice in the UK and Ireland” in March 2008. This is available at:
www.brit-thoracic.org.uk/ClinicalInformation/PulmonaryHypertension/NationalPulmonaryHypertensionServices/tabid/205/Default.aspx