§ 25. Mr. Shepherdasked the Minister of Health whether in the interests of encouraging economy in prescribing, he will put a limit on the period covered by any one prescription, save in exceptional circumstances.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonWhile I do not think it would be right to impose a fixed limit, I wrote to all family doctors at the beginning of the year reminding them of the advice of an independent committee that no more than one week's supply of drugs should be prescribed at a time during the first two weeks of illness and thereafter no more than a fortnight's supply, save for certain chronic illnesses.
§ Mr. ShepherdI thank the Minister for that reply. Is he able to indicate any further action which he may be able to take to reduce the area of waste in prescribing?
§ Mr. RobinsonI am watching the position. There is some evidence to show that the doctors have taken note of my suggestion in that while the number of prescriptions went up following the abolition of prescription charges, the quantity of drugs per prescription decreased compared with the average in 1964.