HC Deb 25 November 1952 vol 508 cc233-4
9. Mr. Carmichael

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that doctors in Glasgow are having accounts submitted to them by the Executive Council for prescriptions issued to patients; who is responsible for this charge; and whether he realises that if this policy continues doctors will refuse to issue such prescriptions with consequent suffering to patients, most of whom are suffering from tuberculosis.

Commander Galbraith

A doctor who writes a prescription under the National Health Service for a preparation that ranks as a food and not a drug is in breach of his terms of service, and is liable to repay to the Executive Council the cost of dispensing the prescription.

Mr. Carmichael

Will the Joint Under-Secretary look at the matter again, because I have evidence from doctors who have declared to the Executive Council that they gave the prescriptions as medicines, and if the doctors are to have these accounts rendered regularly they will stop prescribing and the patients will consequently suffer? I can give the Joint Under-Secretary documentary evidence to show that to my mind—[Interruption.] I want an answer to the point. When the hon. Member for Kidderminster (Mr. Nabarro) becomes the Joint Under-Secretary—

Mr. Nabarro

On a point of order. I did not say a word.

Mr. Carmichael

Some Member must have been mimicking the hon. Gentleman. I want to know if this is an economy to injure further the free medical service in Scotland, because, as I have already stated, I can give documentary evidence of doctors having given a prescription as a medicine and not as a food to tuberculosis cases?

Commander Galbraith

I can assure the hon. Member that it is not an economy measure. The fact is that when selecting prescriptions that apparently relate to food the Pricing Bureau and the Executive Council are guided by advice from an expert committee, which is circulated to all doctors so that they know whether they are prescribing drugs or not.

Mr. Carmichael

If I give the hon. and gallant Member the evidence, will he look further into the matter?

Commander Galbraith

I shall be delighted to look into any evidence which the hon. Member sends me.