AQW 29983/22-27

Miss Nuala McAllister
Alliance Party
North Belfast

Tabled Date: 04/07/2025
Answered On Date: 09/07/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health (i) whether NICE approve the use of Givinostat as a regular treatment for patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy; and (ii) what actions the Belfast Trust will take to prepare for the administration of the treatment.

Answer:

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is currently appraising givinostat for the treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy in people aged six and over. A final decision and guidance is currently expected to be published by NICE on 18 September 2025. The Belfast Trust has considered the additional capacity that would be required to administer givinostat and I have requested that the Trust put plans in place to enable implementation to proceed at pace in the event of a positive NICE recommendation.