Asked by: Alberto Costa (Conservative - South Leicestershire)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what progress his Department has made on the manufacture of bedrocan oil in the UK.
Answered by Maria Caulfield
The current producer of Bedrocan oils in the Netherlands and the chosen United Kingdom commercial partner are progressing the technology transfer agreement to manufacture three Bedrocan oils - Bedica, Bedrolite and Bedrocan - in the UK. The UK manufacturer has been inspected by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and Home Office to obtain the necessary regulatory approvals and has agreement in principle to produce herbal medicines of this type following the successful production of Bedrolite oils.
The Dutch Government has agreed to allow continued supply of all three Bedrocan oils against UK prescriptions for existing patients for a further three months until 1 July 2022. This should allow for domestic production to be established and approved for all three oils.
Asked by: Alberto Costa (Conservative - South Leicestershire)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when his Department will publish details of the proposed randomised control trials for medicinal cannabis.
Answered by Maria Caulfield
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) reviewed the best available evidence when developing its guideline on prescribing of cannabis-based medicinal products. However, NICE found that current research is limited and of low quality. Observational studies with a small number of patients do not produce results which are sufficiently robust to inform routine clinical or commissioning decisions. To develop evidence on medical cannabis, the Department, via the National Institute for Health Research, will be supporting two randomised controlled trials into epilepsy in adults and children. The trials will commence as soon as possible and results will be published once the trials have completed and the findings have been peer reviewed.
Asked by: Alberto Costa (Conservative - South Leicestershire)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the outcomes of observational trials of medical cannabis for children with severe epilepsy.
Answered by Maria Caulfield
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) reviewed the best available evidence when developing its guideline on prescribing of cannabis-based medicinal products. However, NICE found that current research is limited and of low quality. Observational studies with a small number of patients do not produce results which are sufficiently robust to inform routine clinical or commissioning decisions. To develop evidence on medical cannabis, the Department, via the National Institute for Health Research, will be supporting two randomised controlled trials into epilepsy in adults and children. The trials will commence as soon as possible and results will be published once the trials have completed and the findings have been peer reviewed.
Asked by: Alberto Costa (Conservative - South Leicestershire)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent progress his Department has made on discussions with the Dutch Government to allow the continued supply of bedrocan oil beyond 1 April 2022.
Answered by Maria Caulfield
The Dutch Government has confirmed that they will extend the current waiver to allow continued supply of Bedrocan oils against United Kingdom prescriptions for existing patients until 1 April 2022 to allow for domestic production to be established. The Department continues to work closely with the Dutch Government, the Home Office and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency to ensure continuity of supply of Bedrocan oils beyond this period.
Asked by: Alberto Costa (Conservative - South Leicestershire)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to reduce the amount of single-use plastic in lateral flow test kits.
Answered by Maggie Throup
We are exploring alternatives to the current tests which are also safe and effective and made of predominantly recyclable or biodegradable materials.
Asked by: Alberto Costa (Conservative - South Leicestershire)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to support women with the cost of medication relating to the menopause, who are unable to take HRT and are prescribed alternative medication.
Answered by Edward Argar - Shadow Secretary of State for Justice
We have no plans to change the current arrangements for exemptions to prescription charges to support women with the cost of medication relating to the menopause who are unable to take hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and are prescribed alternative medication.
Extensive arrangements are in already place to help people afford NHS prescriptions, including a broad range of exemptions for which women prescribed alternatives to HRT may already qualify. Approximately 89% of prescriptions are already dispensed free of charge. To support those who do not qualify for an exemption, the cost of prescriptions can be capped by purchasing a prescription pre-payment certificate, which can be paid for in instalments. A holder of a 12-month certificate can get all the prescriptions they need for just over £2 per week.
Asked by: Alberto Costa (Conservative - South Leicestershire)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to retain NHS midwives.
Answered by Edward Argar - Shadow Secretary of State for Justice
The NHS People Plan, published in July 2020, focuses on building resilience with a recruitment, retention and support package. The People Recovery Task Force is developing a framework and set of interventions to ensure that National Health Service staff, including midwives, are safe and supported as we deliver the restoration of services. All staff have access to a psychological support package, including apps, a text service and 40 mental health hubs across the country.
Asked by: Alberto Costa (Conservative - South Leicestershire)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to recognise covid-19 vaccines administered to British citizens residing in Mexico.
Answered by Maggie Throup
Vaccine certification from all countries and territories must meet the minimum criteria taking into account public health and wider considerations. We are taking a phased approach to the inbound vaccination programme to other countries and territories, including Mexico and we will keep this under regular consideration.