§ Mr. Michael Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what calculation has been made of the stock losses associated with the introduction of a limited list; and what provision has been made for compensation.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeI refer my hon. Friend to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Surrey, North-West (Mr. Grylls) on 17 December at columns45–46. I have no information to demonstrate that stock losses to companies or pharmacies when the limited list is introduced on 1 April will be significant.
§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many letters he has received arising from his decision to reduce the drugs available for prescription on the National Health Service; and, of these, how many were in favour of the proposal and how many against.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeSo far we have received over 1,600 letters commenting on our proposals to limit the range of drugs available in certain therapeutic categories. Of these, about 100 have unequivocally supported the proposals. The remainder have expressed doubts or declared opposition but many of these letters, including about 250 circular letters supplied to doctors by the drug industry, have shown an imperfect understanding of our proposals. In addition, some 650 replies have been received from doctors to the Chief Medical Officer's letter of 14 December. These have contained constructive suggestions about the medicines that should remain available to meet clinical needs.