§ 9. Dr. D. Johnsonasked the Minister of Health what consideration he has given to the list of life-saving drugs, combined with the appropriate diseases for which they are a recognised cure, submitted to him by the hon. Member for Carlisle; and if he will make arrangements for these drugs to be available free to all patients provided that they are prescribed for their appropriate diseases, whether by National Health Service or by private doctors.
§ Mr. TurtonI have considered this list, but I fear that I am unable to accept my hon. Friend's suggestion.
§ Dr. JohnsonIs my right hon. Friend aware that at a recent test made by a London chemist such prescriptions as these came to slightly less than 5 per cent. of the total? While I appreciate the difficulties, will he keep this suggestion under review both for National Health and for private patients?
§ Mr. HastingsWould not the right hon. Gentleman agree that there is considerable divergence of opinion between those who ought to know as to what are life-saving drugs and when they ought to be used?
§ Mr. TurtonThat is why I am unable to accept my hon. Friend's suggestion. Under existing legislation, a doctor must order any drugs necessary for treatment, and provision of free drugs for some conditions and not others would be most difficult to justify. It would really mean that I would be infringing the doctor's freedom to prescribe whatever is necessary.
§ Sir F. MesserIs it not true to say that drugs for V.D. are quite free?