§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services why his Department has decided that nicotine chewing gum should not be prescribed under the National Health Service; what evidence as to its efficacy was available to his Department; and if he will reconsider this decision.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergThe product was considered by the Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances, an independent professional body which advises the Department and the medical profession whether a substance should be regarded as a drug for the purposes of prescribing under the NHS.
In the light of all available evidence, it advised that nicotine chewing gum should not be regarded as a drug, but made clear it would be willing to reconsider if further evidence became available.
The recommendations of the committee are advisory on the medical profession. General practitioners remain free to prescribe what they think necessary for the treatment of their patients, although they may have to justify their decision to the local medical committee if challenged.