§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if it is his policy to allow the British National Formulary to advise doctors on the best buys in the British drug market; how soon such an improvement could be instituted: and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MoyleThe content of the British National Formulary—BNF—is a matter for its independent publishers, the Joint Formulary Committee of the British Medical Association of Great Britain. Its editorial policy is to offer prescribers a selection of durgs to cope with most illnesses they are likely to meet. A new edition normally appears every two years.
Health Ministers purchase the BNF for distribution to NHS doctors, pharmacists, and medical students as a valuable aid to prescribing. My Department has therefore participated in informal discussions with officials of the professional associations about the future of the BNF. These have been on the basis that it would continue to be an independent publication. I hope soon to let the professions have my view on the results of these informal discussions. It would then be for the professions to consider what developments were desirable.
My Department issues price information in the form of drug cost circulars and comparison charts. We shall continue to develop this form of information.