§ 38. Mr. Wainwrightasked the Minister of Health if he will make the Palmer injection gun available for all diabetics who obtain a suitable prescription from their general medical practitioner.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonNo, Sir.
§ Mr. WainwrightIs my right hon. Friend aware that prescriptions of this sort may be prescribed in hospital? Is he aware that patients who attend hospital can undergo nervous disability because they are afraid of a hypodermic needle? Is he also aware that people who do not attend hospital are equally nervous about using a hypodermic needle? Does he not agree, therefore, that to make the Palmer injection gun available in the way suggested in the Question would be a great asset to many of these people? Has he given the Answer he gave because of the cost involved or because he fears that a wider use of the gun might prove dangerous?
§ Mr. RobinsonI am aware that this gun may be provided at hospitals on the recommendation of a consultant. The cost, for my hon. Friend's information, is 33s. each. As to the question of prescriptions, general practitioners are limited to prescribing those appliances which are authorised by the regulations set out in the Drug Tariff. Additions to the list are normally made when there is a wide demand from doctors. We have no evidence so far of any such demand from doctors for the Palmer injection gun to be added to the list.