Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 5 December 2014 to Question 216943, whether he plans to include issues related to off-patent drugs in the Innovative Medicines and MedTech Review.

The terms of reference of the Innovative Medicines and MedTech Review are still being developed. As set out in a Written Ministerial Statement on 20 November 2014, we expect this to focus on the most innovative medicines, devices and diagnostics which would include innovative use of existing medicine. Where appropriate this may cover off patent medicines, but final decisions on scope have not yet been taken. A link to the statement is provided:

http://www.parliament.uk/documents/commons-vote-office/November%202014/20%20November/2-Health-InnovativeMedicines.pdf