Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the current availability of palbociclib is on the NHS; and what steps are being taken to ensure that all breast cancer patients who would benefit from that drug are able to access it.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence are currently reviewing the evidence for palbociclib in combination with an aromatase inhibitor for treating hormone receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative, locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer in adults. Their draft guidance was out to consultation until 24 February. Stakeholders were encouraged to respond to the consultation.