§ 23. Mr. E. L. Mallalieuasked the Minister of Health whether, having regard to the fact that many doctors prescribe expensive proprietary preparations for which cheaper non-proprietary preparations of equal therapeutic value might be substituted, he will consult the British Medical Association as to the best way of bringing the matter to the notice of both doctors and chemists, with a view to saving expenditure without in any way impairing the service to the patient.
§ Mr. BevanYes. I have been in consultation with the British Medical Association about the action to be taken on the Report of the Joint Committee of the Central and Scottish Health Services 241W Councils which has been considering prescribing under the National Health Service. The Report is to be published and will, I understand, be available on 1st July. Copies are being sent to all doctors, both general practitioners and hospital medical staffs, who are taking part in the National Health Service, with a covering letter asking for their help in avoiding unnecessarily expensive prescribing. The question of other action on the Report is under consideration.