(2) with reference to the answer of 14 May 2007, Official Report, columns 605-6W, on NHS: drugs, on what grounds the decision not to establish a separate appraisal system for ultra-orphan drugs was made; and whether this decision has been reviewed in 2008.
A separate appraisal system for ultra orphan drugs was not established as it was felt that national commissioning was a more appropriate route for ensuring consistent availability of certain ultra orphan drugs for rare genetic disorders. I have no plans at present to establish such a system. This position is kept under review in the context of other developments relating to policy on new drugs but has not been the subject of a specific review exercise in 2008.