VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Futibatinib

Asked by Mark FergusonLabourDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled Answered 11 December 2024UIN 18237

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what funding is available for patients to receive the immunotherapy drug Futibatinib through the NHS; and what criteria his Department uses to determine whether a patient is eligible for any funding.

Answered by Karin Smyth

NHS England funds the use of licensed medicines that have been recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Futibatinib is licensed by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and has been recommended by the NICE for the treatment of previously treated advanced cholangiocarcinoma with FGFR2 fusion or rearrangement. However, Taiho Pharma Europe, the company that markets futibatinib, has advised NHS England that they are not currently able to supply it to the National Health Service. Patients with previously treated advanced cholangiocarcinoma with FGFR2 fusion or rearrangement are able to access a different treatment, pemigatinib, which is also licensed and recommended by the NICE for this indication.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim