NHS Drugs (Hansard, 8 February 1993)

§ Mr. Elletson
To ask the Secretary of State for Health if there is a health economist on the secretariat serving the advisory committee on NHS drugs.

§ Dr. Mawhinney
The secretariat of the advisory committee on national health service drugs can if necessary obtain professional and other advice, including economic advice, from within the Department.

§ Ms. Lynne
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 22 January,Official Report, column 479, if she will investigate the cost to the national health service of prescribed but unused drugs.

§ Dr. Mawhinney
No. It is for individual general practitioners to ensure that the drugs they prescribe are the minimum necessary and that patients comply with instructions for their use. Advice on the appropriate level of prescribing is available from professional medical and pharmaceutical advisers employed by family health services authorities and via publications such as the "British National Formulary" which are issued free of charge to all general practitioners.

§ Mr. Elletson
To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many economists will serve on the expanded advisory committee on NHS drugs.

§ Dr. Mawhinney
The advisory committee on national health service drugs is, and will continue to be, a committee of health care professionals—doctors, dentists and pharmacists. There are no plans to include an economist.