HL Deb 03 December 1997 vol 583 c196WA
Lord Colwyn

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether their proposed review of the use of prescriptive drugs by the medical and dental professions will change the anomaly in The Medicines (Product other than Veterinary Drugs) (Prescription Only) Order 1983, Section 6, which prevents dentists from making telephoned requests to a convenient and accessible pharmacist for the provision of emergency drugs for a patient; and what is the justification for the different rules as between doctors and dentists.

Baroness Jay of Paddington

The Review of Prescribing, Supply and Administration of Medicines is currently under way, chaired by Dr. June Crown, and is considering a wide range of issues regarding the prescribing, supply and administration of medicines. The review is due to report to Ministers next year.

There is no provision in current legislation for pharmacists to supply prescription only medicines to a patient following a telephoned request from a dentist. We are not aware that this is a widespread problem.