Cancer: Drugs
Health
Written answers and statements, 5 November 2009
John Baron (Whip, Whips; Billericay, Conservative)
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made by the NHS in implementing collaborative commissioning processes, as recommended by his Department's National Cancer Director in his November 2008 report on Improving access to medicines for NHS patients; what steps he is taking to share the example of the North East cancer drugs group with other geographical areas in the NHS; and if he will make a statement.
Mike O'Brien (Minister of State (Health Services), Department of Health; North Warwickshire, Labour)
Strategic health authorities are working with their primary care trusts to support collaborative commissioning in their areas. Guidance on collaborative approaches to decision-making is also included in "Supporting rational local decision-making about medicines (and treatments): A handbook of good practice guidance" available at:
www.npc.co.uk/policy/local/constitution_handbook.htm
and this references the example of the North East cancer drugs group.