HC Deb 21 November 2000 vol 357 cc171-2
12. Mr. David Heath (Somerton and Frome)

What plans he has to reduce wastage of prescribed drugs in the NHS. [137647]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health (Ms Gisela Stuart)

In September, we published our pharmacy programme, "Pharmacy in the future—implementing the NHS Plan", which sets out a range of initiatives designed to help patients to get the most out of their medicines and to reduce waste. We shall invest at least £30 million in the next three years to support that work.

Mr. Heath

I am grateful to the Minister for that answer. First, I should like to express my gratitude to St. Thomas's hospital for recently allowing a visit by members of the all-party pharmacy group. Does the hon. Lady agree that the practice now established at that hospital, of identifying and using GP-prescribed drugs in the hospital, is an obvious example of good practice?

Secondly, will the Minister address the issue of patient packs for in-patient discharge? The packs are often based on one month's supply, whereas what is needed to use the drugs effectively is one or two weeks' supply.

Ms Stuart

I am aware of the hon. Gentleman's visit, and I have read the reports of it. It was useful. We believe that it is important to encourage patients to use prescribed medicines and to bring them to hospital. That is why the NHS Executive regional office will be rolling out a performance management framework later this year, which will deal with medicine management in hospitals. With regard to the use of patient packs, considerable progress can be made by re-engineering hospital pharmacies, but there will always be some patients for whom patient packs will have to be broken up, and we must ensure that they receive the correct information. Hospitals and the pharmaceutical companies need to address that.

Dr. Vincent Cable (Twickenham)

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker

Order. I shall deal first with the application under Standing Order No. 24.