§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will now make nicotine-based chewing gums available on the National Health Service.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe advisory committee on borderline substances, which advises us on such matters, considered Nicorette at a meeting on 18 November. In the light of evidence then available the committee was unable to recommend that this product should be prescribable by general medical practitioners on the National Health Service. We have accepted its advice. The committee will keep the position under review, and will give careful consideration to any further evidence which becomes available.