10. Mrs. Hillasked the Minister of Health by how much the release of aureomycin and terramycin for general prescribing will increase the cost of the National Health Service; and what information he has as to possible dangers associated with the use of these drugs.
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithMy right hon. Friend cannot estimate the increased cost until he knows how much prescribing of these drugs there will be. But it is to be emphasised that they are expensive and that the cost to the Exchequer of three days' treatment with either drug is of the order of £2 5s. Morever, he is advised that there are dangers in the indiscriminate use of these drugs and that it is most important that they should, in general, be reserved for the treatment of conditions for which they are known to be specially effective. My right hon. Friend has sent a note to all doctors in the Service giving advice from the Medical Research Council on this question and also particulars of cost.
Mrs. HillWill my hon. Friend consider giving publicity on this point to the public, apart from the doctors, in view of the fact, as in the case of penicillin, for instance, that many patients think that they are not being properly treated if they are not treated with the latest drug?
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithThe underlying principle remains the same: that it is for the doctor to prescribe the drug 577 which he considers necessary for the treatment. I am sure that this Question and answer will draw public attention to the difficulties of this item.