Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome

Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answers of 9 July 2014, Official Report, column 313W, on ovarian cancer and 24 June 2014, Official Report, columns 156-57W, on ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, if his Department will collect data on the number of women admitted to hospital with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS); if he will take steps to ensure systematic reporting of OHSS from egg sharing and egg donation; if he will make it his policy that ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome be notifiable; and if he will take steps to ensure that women are accurately informed of the risk of hospitalisation from OHSS when considering egg donation or egg sharing procedures. [206103]

Jane Ellison: Collection of data relating to treatments regulated by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990, as amended, and the recording of serious adverse clinical reactions come within the statutory duties of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA).

At its meeting on 9 July 2014, the HFEA agreed a new strategy for 2014-17, which sets out its regulatory focus. Also at that meeting, the Authority members agreed to give consideration to the collection of additional data when a case of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome is reported. The HFEA will take expert scientific and medical advice on whether such data collection would be of value and on the feasibility of collecting reliable information.

The papers for the meeting and an audio record of the discussions can be found on HFEA’s website at:

www.hfea.gov.uk/Authority-July-2014.html

1 Sep 2014 : Column 194W

Prescription Drugs

Ms Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the prevalence and efficacy of the procurement and use of off-patent drugs in the NHS. [206976]

George Freeman: We have made no such assessment.

There are mechanisms in place to ensure that the reimbursement prices paid by the national health service to dispensing contractors for generic (off-patent) medicines dispensed in primary care provide value for money for the NHS in the majority of instances.

For example, Part VIII of the Drug Tariff lists the most commonly prescribed products with a reimbursement price that dispensing contractors will be paid. Setting a reimbursement price encourages contractors to seek lower prices and procure in a manner that is cost-effective for the NHS.

In 2013, 83.9% of NHS prescriptions in primary care were prescribed generically.

Generic products in secondary care are tendered by the Department’s Commercial Medicines Unit in collaboration with the NHS through a national programme that ensures value for money by offering the NHS’ requirement to the market on a consolidated basis, while ensuring quality standards are maintained.

Tobacco: Packaging

David T. C. Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many meetings Ministers in his Department have had with representatives of (a) the tobacco industry and (b) tobacco control charities to discuss proposals for legislation on plain packaging of cigarettes in the last 12 months. [206333]

Jane Ellison: Details of ministerial meetings with external stakeholders are published quarterly in arrears on the Gov.UK website at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ministerial-gifts-hospitality-travel-and-external-meetings-2012-to-2013