Chamber and committees

We are considering how to address access to medicines for the treatment of some cancers in the draft new cancer strategy and action plan. Safe, realistic and effective treatment is one of our key ambitions.

At present, there are some endometriosis medicines that are unavailable. Alternatives remain available and clinicians are advised to prescribe these alternatives until supplies stabilise.

We have noted the trial based in Wales, which is offering blood tests to people who have recovered from bowel cancer. We will consider of the results of this trial once it has concluded to determine whether it has evidenced benefit for patients.

On 1 January 2023, a one dose schedule was introduced in Scotland for all those eligible in the HPV vaccination programme up to their 25th birthday. We envisage that this programme change will increase the amount of people completing their vaccination schedule as it will remove the requirement to be recalled to receive a second dose.

We have outlined to Health Boards that some of the resource freed up due to the reduction in vaccination sessions due to the change to a one dose schedule should be re-directed to interventions that strengthen programme delivery, increase coverage rates and reduce inequalities.

Additionally, we have developed a dashboard which allows us to interrogate deprivation data further which will allow us to work with PHS and Health Boards to support these groups and encourage HPV vaccination and wider vaccination services.

On 1 January 2023, a one dose schedule was introduced in Scotland for all those eligible in the HPV vaccination programme up to their 25th birthday. We envisage that this programme change will increase the amount of people completing their vaccination schedule as it will remove the requirement to be recalled to receive a second dose.

We have outlined to Health Boards that some of the resource freed up due to the reduction in vaccination sessions due to the change to a one dose schedule should be re-directed to interventions that strengthen programme delivery, increase coverage rates and reduce inequalities.

Therefore, if someone misses their HPV vaccination, for whatever reason, there will be further opportunities to get it up to their 25th birthday. For example, some young people may be offered a rescheduled vaccination appointment within the next academic year.

I welcome the UK’s pilot Antimicrobial Purchasing Project which seeks to implement a novel payment model to incentivise pharmaceutical companies to do research and development into new antimicrobials which are vital in our fight against Antimicrobial Resistance. In June 2022, the Secretary of State for Health formally invited Scottish Ministers to join the next stage of the project. I agreed in principle for Scotland to engage in follow-on work and to progress towards being an equal partner in shaping the model’s evolution, with particular reference to Scotland's requirements. We await the formal proposition from UK which would allow us to proceed but are in regular contact with DHSC to ensure we are in the position to respond when an approach comes forward.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-15497 on 16 March 2023. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-15497 on 16 March 2023. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

There were 2,014 people in receipt of an Independent Living Fund award at the end of February 2023.

Following the 22-23 Emergency Budget Review genomics was allocated a revised budget of £5 million; this provided a £2.6 million increase on 22-21 funding. Therefore, the £5million budget allocation for genomics in 2023-24 represents a sustained investment in genomics.