Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what information his Department holds on studies which have been carried out on the efficacy of the drug pemetrexed; if his Department will again make that drug available on the NHS; and if he will make a statement.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is the independent body responsible for providing advice to the NHS on the clinical and cost-effectiveness of health technologies. It has published guidance on Pemetrexed for types of lung cancer, and recommends its use to some patients based on certain clinical criteria.

There is a legal requirement on the National Health Service to provide funding for treatments and drugs recommended by NICE technology appraisal guidance within three months of the NICE technology appraisal guidance being published.