Randerson welcomes NICE comment from Rawlins

2.05.00pm GMT Tue 15th Jan 2008

Professor Rawlins comment could lead the way to improving the way medicines are approved

Welsh Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson, Jenny Randerson AM last night prompted a comment from Professor Sir Michael Rawlins, Chairman of National Institute for Clinical Excellence, which could positively affect the future supply of life saving drugs.

At a meeting of Cardiff Business Club, Jenny Randerson asked Professor Rawlins whether he felt that NICE should consider Social Care costs as well as frontline health costs when making decisions about drugs.This would particularly affect the supply of drugs to treat problems such as early-stage alzheimers. Professor Rawlins indicated that in principle, he welcomed this idea.

Jenny Randerson said: "For many years, NICE have had no remit to take account of the costs for social care services during the process for approving and funding drugs. While a decision on changes to the procedure would have to be taken by the Westminster Government, in answering my question in the way he did, Professor Rawlins made it very clear that this would be a practical and welcome change.

"I am now calling on the Westminster Government to look very closely at making this change."

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