Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Ben Gummer and Ronnie Campbell

Tuesday 2nd June 2015 Commons Chamber

[Mr Ronnie Campbell (Blyth Valley) (Lab)]

11. When he expects NHS England to reach a decision on access to Translarna for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy; and if he will make a statement.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health (Ben Gummer)]

NHS England is considering the interim commissioning position for Translarna as part of its wider prioritisation process for funding in 2015-16 and expects to come to a decision by the end of this month. Translarna has also been referred for evaluation by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s highly specialised technologies programme. Draft NICE guidance will be available later this year, with final guidance expected in February 2016.

--- Later in debate ---

[Ben Gummer]

Muscular dystrophy is a terrible, debilitating illness and my sympathies go out to Jagger and his family. My hon. Friend will be aware that families and their representatives will be going to Downing Street on 10 June to make their representations on this matter. The Minister for Life Sciences has introduced an accelerated access review precisely because of the concerns that my hon. Friend has raised, and I know that he will welcome representations once it has been completed.

[Mr Ronnie Campbell]

Is the Minister aware of the case of my constituent, little George Pegg? At one time he could not walk, but this drug has made his life 100% better and he can now walk. Why are we dithering? This has been going on for at least a year, so why don’t you get off that backside of yours and get it approved?

[Mr Speaker]

Order. May I just exhort Members to have some regard to considerations of taste? This is a new Minister. I call Minister Gummer.