Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Pauline Latham and Norman Lamb

Tuesday 11th June 2013 Commons Chamber

[Pauline Latham (Mid Derbyshire) (Con)]

14. What recent assessment he has made of the national cancer drugs fund list.

[The Minister of State, Department of Health (Norman Lamb)]

In April 2013, NHS England published a national list of drugs available from the fund. The list was updated recently following a meeting of the national cancer drugs fund clinical panel. Clinicians can apply to the fund for the inclusion of a drug within the approved list.

[Pauline Latham]

The cancer drugs fund is due to come to an end in less than a year. Given that more than 28,000 patients have received treatment since the CDF was introduced, what discussions has the Minister had with NHS England on continuing funding for it after the end of the current arrangements?

[Norman Lamb]

My hon. Friend has campaigned vigorously to ensure that as many people as possible get access to the drugs they need. The fund has been a great success. More than 30,000 have I think now benefited from it. We want to do all we can to ensure that the good lessons we have learned from it continue.