{ "format" : "linked-data-api", "version" : "0.2", "result" : {"_about" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?hansardHeading=Radioisotopes&max-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2019-10-08T13%3A45%3A41.737Z", "definition" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/meta/answeredquestions.text?hansardHeading=Radioisotopes&max-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2019-10-08T13%3A45%3A41.737Z", "extendedMetadataVersion" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?_metadata=all&hansardHeading=Radioisotopes&max-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2019-10-08T13%3A45%3A41.737Z", "first" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?_page=0&hansardHeading=Radioisotopes&max-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2019-10-08T13%3A45%3A41.737Z", "hasPart" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?hansardHeading=Radioisotopes&max-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2019-10-08T13%3A45%3A41.737Z", "isPartOf" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?hansardHeading=Radioisotopes&max-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2019-10-08T13%3A45%3A41.737Z", "items" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1148277", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department of Health and Social Care"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1148277/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

The Department is doing everything appropriate to prepare for leaving the European Union. We want to reassure patients that our plans should ensure the uninterrupted supply of medicines and medical products once we have left the EU.<\/p>

<\/p>

The department, as part of our EU exit preparations, is implementing a multi-layered approach to mitigate potential disruption to supply, which consists of stockpiling where possible, securing freight capacity, changing or clarifying regulatory requirements, procuring additional warehousing, working closely with industry to improve trader readiness and putting in place the National Supply Disruption Response to manage potential shortages. Further details can be found at the following link:<\/p>

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/medicines-and-medical-products-supply-government-updates-no-deal-brexit-plans<\/a><\/p>

For any products that require air freight, such as some medical radioisotopes, the Department is continuing to work with all suppliers to ensure this is in place ahead of 31 October. The Department can confirm that all relevant suppliers now have plans in place or are already airfreighting into the United Kingdom.<\/p>

<\/p>

The Department is also undertaking joint operational testing, with key suppliers and other Government Departments (Border Delivery Group, HM Revenue and Customs, Border Force) at East Midlands airport to ensure the uninterrupted flow of goods. This testing includes medical radioisotopes.<\/p>

<\/p>

The Department is in active communication with the British Nuclear Medicine Society as well as with the Royal College of Radiologists and the UK Radiopharmacy Group.<\/p>

<\/p>

<\/p>

<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4362", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Edward Argar"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Charnwood"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Edward Argar"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-10-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "294083"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-10-08T12:53:16.1Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "17"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-10-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Radioisotopes"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with representatives from the British Nuclear Medicine Society on the delivery of medical radioisotopes.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/151", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Tom Brake"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Carshalton and Wallington"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Tom Brake"} ], "uin" : "294085"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1145761", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department of Health and Social Care"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1145761/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

The Department is doing everything appropriate to prepare for the United Kingdom\u2019s exit from the European Union. Our plans should ensure the supply of medicines and medical products, including medical radioisotopes, when we leave the EU on 31 October.<\/p>

The Department, in consultation with the devolved administrations, has been working with trade bodies, product suppliers, and the health and care system in England to make detailed plans that should ensure continuation of the supply of medical products, including medical radioisotopes, to the whole of the UK and its Crown Dependencies.<\/p>

<\/p>

On 26 June, we wrote to suppliers of medicines to the UK from or via the EU or European Economic Area setting out our continuing multi-layered approach to support continuity of supply of medicines and medical products from 31 October.<\/p>

Further details can be found at the following link:<\/p>

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/medicines-and-medical-products-supply-government-updates-no-deal-brexit-plans<\/a><\/p>

As with our plans leading up to 29 March, for those medicines that cannot be stockpiled because, for example, they have short shelf-lives, such as medical radioisotopes for use in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, we have asked suppliers to make alternative arrangements, using airfreight, which some suppliers are already doing. We have offered support to companies to arrange this and are actively working with suppliers to ensure detailed plans are in place ahead of the 31 October.<\/p>

<\/strong><\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4362", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Edward Argar"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Charnwood"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Edward Argar"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-09-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-09-30T16:52:16.713Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "17"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-09-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Radioisotopes"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department is rationing the supply of medical isotopes in advance of the UK potentially leaving the EU without a deal; and what steps he is taking to ensure an adequate supply of medical isotopes in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4523", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Catherine West"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hornsey and Wood Green"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Catherine West"} ], "uin" : "291038"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1131782", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department of Health and Social Care"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1131782/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

The Department is not aware of any disruption to the supply of medical radionuclide chemicals (radioisotopes) at a national level. However, the Department does not hold information about the volume of any of medical radioisotopes that are currently available at a national or regional level.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4455", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Seema Kennedy"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South Ribble"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Seema Kennedy"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-06-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-06-17T15:29:33.557Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "17"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-06-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Radioisotopes"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of (a) national and (b) regional supplies of radionuclide chemicals.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/478", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Field of Birkenhead"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Birkenhead"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Frank Field"} ], "uin" : "263719"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1121380", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department of Health and Social Care"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1121380/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

The Department has been in regular contact with NHS England regarding the availability of Choline used for PET scanning. Choline supplies are currently available and NHS England has taken a number of steps to stabilise the availability of Choline going forward to ensure adequate supply remains available for PET scanning.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4455", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Seema Kennedy"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South Ribble"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Seema Kennedy"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-04-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-04-23T14:02:40.443Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "17"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-04-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Radioisotopes"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions his Department has with NHS England on ensuring adequate supplies of Choline for cancer (a) scans and (b) diagnoses.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4510", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Helen Hayes"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Dulwich and West Norwood"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Helen Hayes"} ], "uin" : "244179"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1104860", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department of Health and Social Care"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1104860/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

Leaving the European Union with a deal remains the Government\u2019s top priority. However, as a responsible Government we must plan for every possible outcome including \u2018no deal\u2019. The Department has published guidance to industry and the health and care system to allow them to make informed plans and preparations. This is available on GOV.UK.<\/p>

<\/p>

The Government has been working closely with industry to ensure the supply of medicines, including medical radioisotopes to diagnose and treat breast cancer, can continue uninterrupted in the event of a \u2018no deal\u2019 EU exit.<\/p>

<\/p>

For any products that require air freight, such as medical radioisotopes, we are continuing to work with all suppliers to ensure this occurs. The Department can confirm that companies supplying the vast majority of medical radioisotopes medicines by volume have air freight routes that are currently operational.<\/p>

<\/p>

The Department wrote to all suppliers of medicines to the United Kingdom on 26 March to advise them of the changes to EU exit dates, and ask them to continue with preparations to protect patients in all possible outcomes.<\/p>

<\/p>

We are confident that, if everyone does what they need to do, the supply of medicines and medical products will be uninterrupted.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1585", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Stephen Hammond"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Wimbledon"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Stephen Hammond"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-03-28", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-03-28T16:27:06.277Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "17"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-03-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Radioisotopes"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of leaving the EU without an agreement on the UK\u2019s ability to access (a) radioactive isotopes to diagnose and treat breast cancer and (b) other such medical materials.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4046", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Bridget Phillipson"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Houghton and Sunderland South"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Bridget Phillipson"} ], "uin" : "236430"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1081917", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department of Health and Social Care"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1081917/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

Our number one priority is for patients to continue to have access to medicines, including medical radioisotopes such as krypton and technetium, whatever the European Union exit outcome, and we have robust contingency plans in place.<\/p>

<\/p>

Leaving the EU with a deal remains the Government\u2019s top priority. However, as a responsible Government we must plan for every possible outcome including \u2018no deal\u2019. The Department has published guidance to industry and the health and care system to allow them to make informed plans and preparations. This is available on GOV.UK.<\/p>

<\/p>

The Department has worked with the pharmaceutical industry to ensure that planes are contracted to bring in medical radioisotopes under the appropriate specialist conditions and suppliers are working closely with the National Health Service to minimise any potential impact of changes to delivery times.<\/p>

<\/p>

We are confident that if everyone does what they need to do, the supply of medicines and other medical products, including medical radioisotopes, will be uninterrupted.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1585", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Stephen Hammond"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Wimbledon"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Stephen Hammond"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-03-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "228056"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-03-07T12:00:45.28Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "17"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-03-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Radioisotopes"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment he has made of the effect of the UK leaving the EU without a deal on the availability of technetium and krypton generators for nuclear medicine procedures in hospitals.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1513", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jo Swinson"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Dunbartonshire"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Jo Swinson"} ], "uin" : "228055"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1081918", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department of Health and Social Care"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1081918/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

Our number one priority is for patients to continue to have access to medicines, including medical radioisotopes such as krypton and technetium, whatever the European Union exit outcome, and we have robust contingency plans in place.<\/p>

<\/p>

Leaving the EU with a deal remains the Government\u2019s top priority. However, as a responsible Government we must plan for every possible outcome including \u2018no deal\u2019. The Department has published guidance to industry and the health and care system to allow them to make informed plans and preparations. This is available on GOV.UK.<\/p>

<\/p>

The Department has worked with the pharmaceutical industry to ensure that planes are contracted to bring in medical radioisotopes under the appropriate specialist conditions and suppliers are working closely with the National Health Service to minimise any potential impact of changes to delivery times.<\/p>

<\/p>

We are confident that if everyone does what they need to do, the supply of medicines and other medical products, including medical radioisotopes, will be uninterrupted.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1585", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Stephen Hammond"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Wimbledon"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Stephen Hammond"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-03-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "228055"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-03-07T12:00:45.327Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "17"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-03-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Radioisotopes"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Transport on transporting technetium and krypton generators by air instead of road in the event that the UK leaves the EU without deal; and if he will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1513", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jo Swinson"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Dunbartonshire"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Jo Swinson"} ], "uin" : "228056"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1077136", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department of Health and Social Care"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1077136/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

Leaving the European Union with a deal remains the Government\u2019s top priority - this has not changed. However, as a responsible Government, we must plan for every possible outcome including \u2018no deal\u2019. The Department has published guidance to industry and the health and care system to allow them to make informed plans and preparations. This is available on GOV.UK.<\/p>

We are reliant on transport and freight being re-routed but are confident that, if everyone \u2013 including suppliers, freight companies, the health and care system and international partners - does what they should do, the supply of medicines and other medical products, including medical radioisotopes, will be uninterrupted.<\/p>

The Department has put in place a multi-layered approach to minimise any supply disruption:<\/p>

- securing, via the Department for Transport, additional roll on roll off freight capacity (away from the short straits crossings to Dover and Folkestone) for goods to continue to come into the United Kingdom from 29 March;<\/p>

- asking industry to build up stockpiles in the UK before 29 March;<\/p>

- buying extra warehouse space for the additional stock to be held in;<\/p>

- supporting companies in booking space on aeroplanes for products which require an immediate shipment due to short shelf-life, including medical radioisotopes, or specific storage conditions;<\/p>

- making changes to, or clarifications of, certain regulatory requirements so that companies can continue to sell their products in the UK even if we have \u2018no deal\u2019; and<\/p>

- strengthening the processes and resources used to deal with shortages in the event that they do occur.<\/p>

There is cross-Government agreement that all medicines and medical products will be prioritised on these alternative routes to ensure that the flow of all these products may continue unimpeded. For any products that require air freight, such as medical radioisotopes, we are continuing to work with suppliers to ensure this continues as normal.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1585", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Stephen Hammond"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Wimbledon"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Stephen Hammond"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-03-05", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-03-05T14:34:21.57Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "17"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-02-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Radioisotopes"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what proportion of radioisotope suppliers have confirmed that freight provisions are in place to avoid delays at ports preventing people accessing cancer treatments as a result of the UK leaving the EU without a deal.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4368", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Neil Coyle"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bermondsey and Old Southwark"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Neil Coyle"} ], "uin" : "225530"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1064309", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department of Health and Social Care"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1064309/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

A search of the Department\u2019s Ministerial correspondence database has identified one item of correspondence received since 1 August 2018 about alternative arrangements for breast cancer diagnostic and treatment procedures in the event that there is a shortage of radioisotopes in the United Kingdom. This figure represents correspondence received by the Department\u2019s Ministerial correspondence unit only.<\/p>

<\/p>

We fully recognise that radioisotopes are vitally important to many people in this country including breast cancer patients. HM Revenue and Customs already has a process to identify \u2018urgent goods\u2019, such as medical radioisotopes, requiring faster handling to move through customs and border checks promptly. The Department has well established processes to manage and mitigate the small number of medicines shortages that may arise due to manufacturing or distribution issues. These processes include radioisotopes used in breast cancer diagnostic and treatment procedures.<\/p>

<\/p>

From January 2019, it became a mandatory requirement that the pharmaceutical industry must report this information to the Department in a timely manner. Following notification and risk assessment, the Department\u2019s medicine supply team will continue to work behind the scenes with relevant stakeholders and use a host of tools to help mitigate and prevent an issue from impacting patients including the consideration of alternative treatment options. The Department is not aware of any significant radioisotope shortages that are currently affecting breast cancer patients.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1585", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Stephen Hammond"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Wimbledon"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Stephen Hammond"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-02-28", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "224533"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-02-28T11:47:48.99Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "17"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-02-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Radioisotopes"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what representations he has received on alternative arrangements for breast cancer diagnostic and treatment procedures in the event that there is a shortage of radioisotopes in the UK.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4433", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Thangam Debbonaire"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bristol West"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Thangam Debbonaire"} ], "uin" : "223789"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1064781", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department of Health and Social Care"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1064781/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

A search of the Department\u2019s Ministerial correspondence database has identified one item of correspondence received since 1 August 2018 about alternative arrangements for breast cancer diagnostic and treatment procedures in the event that there is a shortage of radioisotopes in the United Kingdom. This figure represents correspondence received by the Department\u2019s Ministerial correspondence unit only.<\/p>

<\/p>

We fully recognise that radioisotopes are vitally important to many people in this country including breast cancer patients. HM Revenue and Customs already has a process to identify \u2018urgent goods\u2019, such as medical radioisotopes, requiring faster handling to move through customs and border checks promptly. The Department has well established processes to manage and mitigate the small number of medicines shortages that may arise due to manufacturing or distribution issues. These processes include radioisotopes used in breast cancer diagnostic and treatment procedures.<\/p>

<\/p>

From January 2019, it became a mandatory requirement that the pharmaceutical industry must report this information to the Department in a timely manner. Following notification and risk assessment, the Department\u2019s medicine supply team will continue to work behind the scenes with relevant stakeholders and use a host of tools to help mitigate and prevent an issue from impacting patients including the consideration of alternative treatment options. The Department is not aware of any significant radioisotope shortages that are currently affecting breast cancer patients.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1585", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Stephen Hammond"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Wimbledon"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Stephen Hammond"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-02-28", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "223789"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-02-28T11:47:49.033Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "17"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-02-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Radioisotopes"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential effect of a shortage of radioisotopes on the number of breast cancer diagnostic and treatment procedures.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4433", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Thangam Debbonaire"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bristol West"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Thangam Debbonaire"} ], "uin" : "224533"} ], "itemsPerPage" : 10, "next" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?_page=1&hansardHeading=Radioisotopes&max-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2019-10-08T13%3A45%3A41.737Z", "page" : 0, "startIndex" : 1, "totalResults" : 25, "type" : ["http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#ListEndpoint", "http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#Page"]} }