6. 5. Statement: The New Treatment Fund

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:45 pm on 10 January 2017.

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Photo of Vaughan Gething Vaughan Gething Labour 4:45, 10 January 2017

Thank you for the question. As I said through the statement—previous statements and today—this is about quick, consistent access to approved, effective medication. For those that are not approved through NICE or the AWMSG process, there is the individual patient funding request process—the IPFR process. Members are all aware that we have undertaken a particular piece of work with a rapid review to look at what we have done in terms of improvements we think we might have been able to make in the last couple of years, and further improvements that we wish to make—and to have a genuine and challenging piece of work to try and help us do that. Now, I’ve indicated in response to the questions that Angela Burns and Rhun ap Iorwerth have asked today that I’m expecting that report to be with me within the coming week. It is a matter of weeks, not months, when I will receive that. I’m sure that everyone will have a view on it, and the Government will ultimately have to respond. That is a separate issue. That is not the issue that I am announcing today. That is not what our manifesto pledge was designed to deliver. I look forward to coming back to this Chamber in the coming weeks to provide you with another statement, Llywydd, on the IPFR process, on the review, and what the Government’s response to it will be. So, at that point in time, I will have an answer for you on the issue that you raise today.