§ 1. Mr. Michael McNair-Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services which appetite suppressants are supplied through the National Health Service.
§ The Minister of State, Department of Health and Social Security (Dr. David Owen)A doctor may prescribe any appetite suppressant drug which he considers appropriate for a patient.
§ Mr. McNair-WilsonWill the Minister of State say what value the medical profession places on these preparations how much they are costing the National Health Service, and whether we should subsidise self-indulgence in this way?
§ Dr. OwenThe cost to the National Health Service is £2½ million a year. The British National Formulary, which my Department issues free to all doctors, says that:
appetite suppressant drugs have little place in the management of the obese patient and there is no substitute for will-power".164 This statement was quoted prominently in a circular to doctors issued by my Department last summer, in which reference was also made to the high cost of anorectic drugs.