Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what engagement they have had with patients and carers to inform NHS England's proposals to restrict prescribing of fast-acting Fentanyl for cancer patients.
There are no plans to restrict the prescribing of immediate release fentanyl for cancer patients. As such, no specific discussions have taken place with Macmillan Cancer Support about its potential withdrawal. NHS England has drafted and is currently consulting on commissioning guidance, which may result in a decision by clinical commissioning groups to recommend their prescribers to restrict the prescription of fentanyl in a primary care setting on the National Health Service for patients where other appropriate medicines are available. The consultation closes on 21 October and NHS England continues to seek views on its proposals. No final decisions have yet been made.