Debate contribution: Women's Health Strategy

Debate contribution by Mr Mike Nesbitt on 5 May 2026.

MLA: Mr Mike Nesbitt
Party at the time: Ulster Unionist Party
Date: 5 May 2026
Type: Debate contribution (made as a minister)
Business: Oral Answers to Questions
Heading: Women's Health Strategy
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5524593

Text

I thank the Member for her question. I have some rather good news in that regard. Keytruda is already used in Health and Social Care (HSC) for many different forms of cancer, in line with recommendations from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). The manufacturer of Keytruda has recently launched the injectable form that we are hearing about in the news outlets. I recognise the benefits of rolling out such innovations to patients in Northern Ireland in saving precious time for those receiving treatment for cancer as well as in releasing valuable time for clinicians to care for more people. As of today, three of the five trusts have already rolled out injectable Keytruda. That happened in April last year as part of a managed transition involving a substantial programme of work to update existing clinical protocols and minimise waste of the existing infusion product. It is in three of the five; I hope that it will be in all five as soon as possible.

168 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

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