Whether it will provide details by health board area, of the number of patients with multiple sclerosis who are currently being prescribed …

It is not possible to identify the number of patients with Multiple Sclerosis who are currently being prescribed Betaferon. Data collected centrally relates only to prescribed items dispensed by community pharmacists and dispensing doctors. It does not specify individual patient data and information on the number of patients given specific drugs in hospitals is not available centrally.In 1995, guidance about new drugs for multiple sclerosis, and clinical advice from the Standing Medical Advisory Committee, was issued to all Health Boards. The guidance asked Health Boards, in consultation with other key interests, to develop and implement local arrangements to manage the entry of these drugs into the NHS and, in particular, to instigate and continue prescribing through hospitals.The implementation of that guidance is a matter for each Health Board.