§ Mr. Michael Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) why, in relation to the limited list, general practitioners are required to prescribe by a generic name in cases where there is only a branded drug available;
(2) why, in relation to the limited list, general practitioners are required to prescribe by generic name only, when there are clinically similar branded products at the same or lower price.
§ Mr. HayhoeOn 18 March 1985 during the debate in the House on the regulations introducing the selected list scheme, my right hon. Friend explained that, wherever possible, the generic rather than the branded name of a particular drug should be used on prescription forms. The purpose was to encourage other manufacturers to market their own generic versions of branded drugs; and to introduce an element of price competition into the supply of medicines for which the promotion of brand names was the main determinant.