National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence

Mr. Boswell
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what consideration his Department gives to (a) progression-free and (b) overall survival factors in its health technology appraisals.

Mr. Mike O'Brien
The Department does not carry out health technology appraisals. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence is an independent body responsible for the development of technology appraisal guidance and its “Guide to the Methods of Technology Appraisal” is available on its website at:

www.nice.org.uk/aboutnice/howwework/devnicetech/technologyappraisalprocessguides/guidetothemethodsof technologyappraisal.jsp

Mr. Boswell
To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what medicines (a) have been and (b) are being appraised through the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence for supplementary advice for treatments extending life; which have met National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence criteria; what the outcomes were; and if he will make a statement;

(2) what assessment he has made of the impact of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence's supplementary advice on the appraisal of end of life treatments in securing improved patient access to such treatments.

Phil Hope
I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave the hon. Member for South Cambridgeshire (Mr. Lansley) on 8 February 2010, Official Report, columns 713-14W.