Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the supply shortage of Quetiapine modified-release tablets on patients.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department is aware of the supply issues affecting several brands and tablet strengths of quetiapine modified release tablets. Following the Department working with suppliers, there have been improvements in the supply through February and early March, with improvements in supply expected to continue through to May, and full resolution expected in October 2025. The Department continues to work with the suppliers of quetiapine modified release tablets to bring forward these future deliveries. Working with National Health Service specialists, we have provided comprehensive management advice for this supply issue, advising healthcare professionals on how to manage patients during this time, and are providing up to date information on the availability of the impacted medicines. The Department continues to engage with representatives from the pharmacy sector on the supply of quetiapine modified-release tablets. Any patient who is worried about their condition, or access to these medications, should speak to their clinician in the first instance.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps to notify patients in need of Quetiapine modified-release tablets when the current shortage is expected to end.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department is aware of the supply issues affecting several brands and tablet strengths of quetiapine modified release tablets. Following the Department working with suppliers, there have been improvements in the supply through February and early March, with improvements in supply expected to continue through to May, and full resolution expected in October 2025. The Department continues to work with the suppliers of quetiapine modified release tablets to bring forward these future deliveries. Working with National Health Service specialists, we have provided comprehensive management advice for this supply issue, advising healthcare professionals on how to manage patients during this time, and are providing up to date information on the availability of the impacted medicines. The Department continues to engage with representatives from the pharmacy sector on the supply of quetiapine modified-release tablets. Any patient who is worried about their condition, or access to these medications, should speak to their clinician in the first instance.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps to ensure Quetiapine modified-release tablets are not in shortage for long.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department is aware of the supply issues affecting several brands and tablet strengths of quetiapine modified release tablets. Following the Department working with suppliers, there have been improvements in the supply through February and early March, with improvements in supply expected to continue through to May, and full resolution expected in October 2025. The Department continues to work with the suppliers of quetiapine modified release tablets to bring forward these future deliveries. Working with National Health Service specialists, we have provided comprehensive management advice for this supply issue, advising healthcare professionals on how to manage patients during this time, and are providing up to date information on the availability of the impacted medicines. The Department continues to engage with representatives from the pharmacy sector on the supply of quetiapine modified-release tablets. Any patient who is worried about their condition, or access to these medications, should speak to their clinician in the first instance.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has had recent discussions with representatives from the pharmacy sector on the supply of Quetiapine modified-release tablets.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department is aware of the supply issues affecting several brands and tablet strengths of quetiapine modified release tablets. Following the Department working with suppliers, there have been improvements in the supply through February and early March, with improvements in supply expected to continue through to May, and full resolution expected in October 2025. The Department continues to work with the suppliers of quetiapine modified release tablets to bring forward these future deliveries. Working with National Health Service specialists, we have provided comprehensive management advice for this supply issue, advising healthcare professionals on how to manage patients during this time, and are providing up to date information on the availability of the impacted medicines. The Department continues to engage with representatives from the pharmacy sector on the supply of quetiapine modified-release tablets. Any patient who is worried about their condition, or access to these medications, should speak to their clinician in the first instance.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of requiring the NHS to offer pocket-sized trauma cards for patients to show during appointments.
Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
There are currently no plans to assess the potential merits of introducing trauma cards in the National Health Service.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the shortage of quetiapine modified-release tablets on Bipolar patients.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department has made no such assessment. We are aware of supply issues affecting several brands and tablet strengths of quetiapine modified release tablets. Following the Department working with suppliers, there have been improvements in supply through February and early March 2025, with improvements in supply expected to continue through to May 2025, and full resolution expected in October 2025. The Department continues to work with the suppliers of quetiapine modified -release tablets to bring forward these future deliveries. Working with National Health Service specialists we have provided comprehensive management advice for this supply issue, advising healthcare professionals on how to manage patients during this time. Any patient who is worried about their condition, or access to these medications, should speak to their clinician in the first instance.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of requiring large pharmacies to hold several months of reserve stock of medication.
Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Pharmacies are independent businesses and are expected to maintain a reasonable stock holding to meet their legal obligations to dispense all prescriptions with reasonable promptness, recognising that it is not feasible for a pharmacy to maintain stock of every medicine.
Most pharmacies do not have space to hold several months of stock and such stock holding would come with a financial risk to the pharmacy as stock may expire. There are therefore no plans to require pharmacies to hold reserve stock of medication.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to ensure patients can (a) get better access to and (b) find out about (i) research and (ii) clinical trials for rare cancers.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department is committed to maximising our potential to lead the world in clinical trials and ensuring that clinical trials are more accessible.
The Department funded National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) funds research and research infrastructure, which supports patients and the public to participate in high-quality research, including clinical research on rare cancers. NIHR research expenditure for all cancers was £133 million in 2023/24, reflecting its high priority. These investments are pivotal to informing efforts to improve cancer prevention, treatment, and outcomes, including for rare cancers.
The NIHR provides an online service called Be Part of Research, which promotes participation in health and social care research, including research into rare cancers, by allowing users to search for relevant studies and register their interest. This makes it easier for people to find and take part in health and care research that is relevant to them.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will appoint a named lead in the Department with a responsibility to support research and innovation for rare cancers.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
There are no plans to appoint a named lead within the Department for this purpose as the Department supports research and innovation for rare cancers, and other conditions, through its research delivery arm, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).
Research is crucial in tackling cancer, which is why the Department spends £1.6 billion each year on research through the NIHR, with cancer as one of the largest areas of investment, at over £133 million in 2023/24, reflecting its high priority.
The development and delivery of research for rare cancers is supported and enabled nationwide through the NIHR’s infrastructure, including the NIHR Research Delivery Network, the NIHR Clinical Research Facilities, the NIHR Biomedical Research Centres, the NIHR HealthTech Research Centres, the Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre, and the newly designated NIHR Commercial Research Delivery Centres. These all support the delivery of clinical research through facilities, staff resource, collaborations, and funding.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has make an assessment of the potential merits of reviewing the prescription charge exemption list to increase the support for patients with chronic illness.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
There are no current plans to review the list of prescription charge exemptions or the list of medical conditions that entitle someone to apply for a medical exemption certificate.
There are extensive arrangements in place in England to ensure that prescriptions are affordable for everyone. Approximately 89% of prescription items are dispensed free of charge in the community in England, and there is a wide range of exemptions from prescription charges already in place, for which those with rheumatoid arthritis may be eligible. Eligibility depends on the patient’s age, whether they are in qualifying full-time education, whether they are pregnant or have recently given birth, whether they have a qualifying medical condition, or whether they are in receipt of certain benefits or a war pension.
People on low incomes can apply for help with their health costs through the NHS Low Income Scheme. Prescription prepayment certificates (PPCs) are also available. PPCs allow people to claim as many prescriptions as they need for a set cost, with three-month and 12-month certificates available. The 12-month PPC can be paid for in instalments.