HL Deb 07 June 2000 vol 613 cc165-6WA
Lord Morris of Manchester

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What plans they have to legislate to enable pharmacists to prescribe medicines, in certain carefully controlled circumstances, thus giving patients a greater incentive to consult the local chemist; and whether the expertise of community pharmacists would be of local benefit in these circumstances. [HL2539]

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath

In a press statement issued on 13 March 2000, we announced our decision to implement the main recommendations of the Review of Prescribing, Supply and Administration of Medicines. Copies of the statement are available in the Library.

We will put forward legislation as soon as parliamentary time allows to permit supplementary prescribing by other health professionals (for example, pharmacists) and, subject to the successful development of supplementary prescribing, subsequently to step this up to full independent prescribing. We believe that this can help to improve services for patients and make better use of the skills of a range of professions.