§ 88. Mr. C. Osborneasked the Minister of Health what action he is taking to avoid the use in the National Health Service of expensive branded drugs for which exact unbranded equivalents exist; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Powell:Doctors have been asked to prescribe by official title where possible, to order a branded drug only where they are convinced of its superiority, and to give preference to simple and less expensive drugs of equivalent effect. They receive information about comparative costs, and the new Prescribers' Journal will keep this information up to date.
§ 90. Mr. Snowasked the Minister of Health by what authority his Department classifies hospital management committees who are purchasers in bulk of drugs as departments of the Crown, thus enabling them to take advantage of Section 46 of the Patents Act, 1949.
§ Mr. Powell:I am advised that the services provided by hospital management committees on my behalf under Section 3 of the National Health Service Act, 1946, are "services of the Crown" within the meaning of Section 46 of the Patents Act, 1949.