PENDLE MP Andrew Stephenson has asked members at the Houses of Parliament what steps are being taken to accelerate access to innovative medicine and health care technology in the NHS.

He was given a response by George Freeman, the parliamentary under-secretary of state for business, innovation and skills, who said the issue was central to his mission as the UK’s first minister for life sciences.

Mr Freeman said: “Breakthroughs in genetics and the use of data are unlocking a new era of precision medicines, earlier diagnosis and remote monitoring, which can dramatically improve patient outcomes, and the efficiency of our health service.

“That is why I announced last week a major review of the role of the regulators, the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, in accelerating innovation in the NHS.”