§ 86. Mr. Pavittasked the Minister of Health if the consultation and advice given to the patient on a general practitioner's list with regard to the prescription of an oral contraceptive is available 19W as part of the National Health Service; what advice he gives on the level of charge to be made for writing a prescription; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonCharges may not be made for family planning consultation and advice given by a doctor to his National Health Service patients but he may charge for the prescribing of oral contraceptives on social as distinct from medical grounds since this is not part of his obligations under the Service. I am unable to recommend the level of such a charge since this is outside the Service, but the British Medical Association have given guidance to the profession on the level which they consider appropriate.