Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, with which stakeholders officials from (a) NHS England and (b) his Department have discussed implementation of a fast-track interim policy for hepatitis C patients.
NHS England has advised that its second phase early access policies for hepatitis C drugs for patients with cirrhosis are being developed within its In Year Service Development procedure.
In doing so, NHS England has engaged with clinical and patient stakeholders from the national clinical reference groups. The Blood and Infection National Programme of Care Board is expected to consider the duration of public consultation needed before NHS England considers the draft policy for approval.
The Department is not involved in this process.