§ 58. Dr. Edith Summerskillasked the Minister of Health the chief considerations which led him to refuse to allow the drug popularly known as M and B 693 to be generally used by medical practi- 712 tioners for patients who are treated under the National Health Insurance Acts?
§ Mr. ElliotIt is not correct that I have refused to allow M and B 693 to be used for the treatment of insured persons. Insured persons are entitled to this remedy in all cases in which practitioners responsible for their treatment consider that it is advisable. Prescriptions for M and B 693 have been given to insured persons ever since the drug came into use. I greatly deprecate the suggestion that permission to use this remedy has been refused, as it might lead to medical practitioners withholding it in cases where it would be of use. The suggestion may thus prejudice the chances of recovery of insured patients. No possible question even as to accounting can arise save in the small number of cases where the doctor receives a capitation fee for himself dispensing drugs, and then, if he considers that the cost of using this remedy is more than should be borne by his capitation fee receipts, he may apply to the Minister for sanction for a special payment. This also has been allowed in a number of cases.
§ Dr. SummerskillIs it not a fact that the right hon. Gentleman was asked if he would put this on the special list of expensive drugs, by the Committee which deals with this matter for the National Health Insurance work, and that he said that he could not allow this, but that in a year's time, when the price of the drug was reduced, he would reconsider it?
§ Mr. ElliotNo, the hon. Lady has no right to say that at all. I have given the reasons for my answer. I say that this drug is available, always has been available, and always will be available for insured persons, and the suggestions that it is not are totally unfounded and, what is more, dangerous to the health of the insured public.
§ Dr. SummerskillI must protest [Hon. Members: "Order! "]. May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he will give me a direct answer, "Yes" or "No," to the question, whether he did not refuse to put this on the special list at the request of the British Medical Association, and is it not a fact that in the current "Journal" of the British Medical Association there is a statement that the Minister has refused to put this on 713 the special list and that he will reconsider it in a year? Can I have an answer, "Yes" or "No"?
§ Mr. ElliotCertainly, I have refused to put it on the special list, because it is obtainable under the ordinary arrangements for insured persons. I have refused to put it on the special list because arrangements are made for dealing with these things separately. It is a matter of accountancy, and the suggestion that it is being withheld from insured persons is a suggestion that is quite unworthy of the medical profession.
§ 59. Dr. Summerskillasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that manufacturing chemists possess a monopoly of certain drugs, and by charging prohibitive prices prevent poor patients from receiving the most modern form of treatment; and whether, in the best interests of the community, he will take steps to remedy this?
§ Mr. ElliotIf the hon. Member will give me particulars of the drugs which she has in mind, I shall be happy to look into the matter.
§ Dr. SummerskillIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the drug that I have in mind is the drug to which I referred in Question 58, which he has refused to put on the special list and which is being sold in the market at 7s. 6d. for 25 tablets, and that because he has refused to put it on the special list, it is being sold at a prohibitive price and is, therefore, unavailable for poor people?
§ Mr. ElliotI think I have dealt pretty fully with the hon. Lady's previous question and I am perfectly willing to consider the question of this drug if she will bring the facts to my notice, but, as I am informed, the actual cost of it is 4d. per dose, and not the figure which she gave.