The Barts Blog published the full transcript of the debate (very long and far too much for me), but also made some interesting comments.
“I believe that it has been difficult to get hospitals to pay for rituximab for PPMSers for the next couple of years until ocrelizumab comes along any PPMSer with gadolinium lesions could argue that that their neuro should be offering rituximab off-label their are two trials supporitng the fact that PPMSers can benefit from this treatment. If rituximab was licenced and NICED there would not be an issue…problem is pharma is in the hunt for ocrelizumab”.
People are angry, we should all be angry. What happened yesterday was not democracy. And MPs wonder why they are held in such low esteem. It’s like they don’t know what their job is.
It is not like me to support Tory MPs but it should be pointed out that a lot of MPs from all different parties (including the Conservatives) DID attend to support the Bill. In fact, it shouldn’t be forgotten that the original version of this Bill was put forward in 2014 by a Tory MP who lost his seat in 2015. The obstruction came from the Ministers not from ordinary MPs.
The Hansard report of the debate (if you could call it a debate) is very interesting. Debate on the Bill starts about half way down at 1.8 pm (Column 1289). It is interesting to see the number of medically qualified MPs contributing (all in favour). Against this the lone Minister’s objections are exactly that - LONE! He doesn’t raise a single positive argument against the Bill or - to be honest - any argument at all. Just waffle.
The good news, however, is that there is a further debate on 4th December. Get your lobbying shoes on again boys and girls - this could be a very embarrassing situation for the Government with enough publicity behind it. Not a Party Political one but a question of right versus wrong.
My MP didn’t even bother to reply to my (3) e-mails. We needed experienced MPs to be there, so they knew to call a halt to the extended comments from the previous debate, and this one too, to allow enough time for the reading. I’m deeply disappointed with my MP, this is not proper representation.
But onwards and upwards, I’ll be mailing her again for the debate on 4th December.
And agree with Boblatina, I think it would be nice if we could thank the MPs - of all political colours - who turned up and supported the bill, and shame on Burt and the no-shows.