HC Deb 12 March 1985 vol 75 c113W
52. Mr. Heathcoat-Amory

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will bring in measures to limit the quantity of drugs prescribed on each doctor's prescription.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

We already advise doctors to prescribe drugs in adequate but not excessive quantities. There could be disadvantages in specifying a maximum quantity of drugs prescribable on each FP10 prescription form, since the quantity needed depends on the form of a patient's treatment. For example, patients on long-term therapy have very different requirements from those suffering from acute, short-term, conditions. However, this is a point we are very willing to discuss with the medical profession.