Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to increase the supply of Rilutek for people with motor neurone disease, and if he will make a statement.

The Department fully understands that maintaining access to Riluzole (Rilutek) for the management of motor neurone disease is vitally important to many people in this country. We are aware that there was a supply issue with Riluzole earlier this year which resulted in limited supplies during February and early March, and worked closely with suppliers to manage this.

Supplies of Riluzole 50 milligram tablets are currently available in volumes that are sufficient to meet normal United Kingdom demand. The Department continues to work very closely with all the manufacturers of Riluzole 50 milligram tablets and can confirm that the supply situation continues to improve with further deliveries expected over the coming months. All patients who require Riluzole 50 milligram tablets should be able to obtain a supply from their pharmacy.

We continue to work closely with industry and partners in the health system to help prevent shortages and to ensure that the risks to patients are minimised when supply issues do arise.