VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Drugs

Asked by Afzal KhanLabourDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled Answered 23 July 2025UIN 68796

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure access to new medicines for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in England.

Answered by Karin Smyth

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is the independent body responsible for developing authoritative, evidence-based recommendations for the National Health Service on whether new medicines represent a clinically and cost-effective use of resources. NICE aims, wherever possible, to issue recommendations on new medicines close to the time of licensing. The NHS in England is legally required to fund medicines recommended by NICE, normally within three months of the publication of final guidance.

NICE is currently evaluating dupilumab for treating moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and itepekimab as an add-on maintenance treatment for moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

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