Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what proposals he has made to ensure that patients do not experience delays in accessing emerging treatments for muscle-wasting conditions after the UK leaves the EU.

The Government wants patients to access cost-effective innovative medicines and technologies, which may include emerging treatments for muscle-wasting conditions, at a price that the National Health Service can afford. That is why we commissioned the Accelerated Access Review, which reported in October last year. We are considering the review’s recommendations and will respond in due course.

As part of the exit negotiations the Government will discuss with the European Union and Member States how best to continue cooperation on medicine research and development and regulation in the best interests of both the United Kingdom and the EU. It would not be appropriate to pre-judge the outcome of the negotiations, but we are clear that whatever happens NHS patients should have access to cost-effective life-changing treatments as soon as possible.