§ Mr. Bill WalkerTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has any plans to add to the drug tariff in Scotland any health care products that are currently available only through the hospital or community health services.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythIn the White Paper "Promoting Better Health" published on 25 November 1987, the Government announced that as soon as the necessary arrangements could be made they would make both blood glucose testing strips for diabetics and a new range of wound care products available on prescription. I am pleased to be able to announce that from 1 June 1988 that blood glucose testing strips together with single use lancets will be available on prescription in Scotland: and that 129W from 1 July 1988 general practitioners in Scotland will be able to prescribe two of the new wound care products, namely Granuflex and Sorbsan dressings.
Both the diabetic test equipment and the new types of wound care products are currently available through the hospital and community health services. But by making them available through family doctor prescription, a better and more convenient service to patients will be provided. In the case of diabetic testing materials, the wider availability will make a valuable contribution to enabling diabetics to treat and monitor their condition independently in their own homes. The new wound care products are more comfortable for patients than traditional dressings and make for quicker healing.
Tay side payments Tayside as percentage of Scottish total Tayside as percentage of Great Britain total 1986–87 1987–88 1986–87 1987–88 1986–87 1987–88 £ million £ million Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. Regional selective assistance 2.9 2.0 8.3 5.3 2.3 1.4 Regional development grant I1 5.1 0.6 4.6 1.8 1.6 0.6 Regional development grant II 3.1 3.8 8.2 8.7 2.6 2.6 National selective assistance Nil Nil 0 0 0 0
Tayside loans disbursed Tayside as percentage of Scottish total Tayside as percentage of United Kingdom total 1986–87 1987–88 1986–87 1987–88 1986–87 1987–88 £ million £ million Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. European investment bank loans2 2.2 — 16.0 — 3.3 — Loan guarantee scheme 0.1 0.4 3.4 11.4 0.3 0.8 1 Changes to the Regional development grant scheme were introduced in 1984. For the earlier scheme RDG I, data refers to payments over £25,000 as comprehensive figures are not available on a local basis. 2 Information is available only for loans for which cover was provided under the exchange risk guarantee scheme. The scheme has not applied to European Investment Bank loans since 18 July 1985 and figures for 1986–87 relate to offers made before that date.