§ Mr. Forthasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his Department's policy regarding 584W arraignment of general practitioners before medical service committees for over-prescribing of National Health Service drugs; and how many such cases there were in the last three years for which figures are available.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeNo provision exists for general practitioners to appear before medical service committees for over-prescribing. Regulation 16 of the National Health Service (Service Committees and Tribunal) Regulations 1974 provide for such cases to be considered by the local medical committee. No cases have been dealt with under this procedure during the last three years in England.
§ Mr. Meadowcroftasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many doctors have been referred to their local medical committees for excessive prescribing under paragraph 16 of the Service Committee and Tribunal Regulations 1974 in each of the last three years; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkePrescribers whose costs are above average are visited by our regional medical officers who also discuss prescribing topics in the course of their regular contacts with general practitioners. The use of powers contained in paragraph 16 of the National Health Service (Service Committees and Tribunals) Regulations 1974 has been regarded as a last resort and there have been no such cases in the last three years in England.