§ Mr. Greville Jannerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will establish criteria for the prescription of slimming drugs to women under the National Health Service when they are under weight and addicted to drugs.
§ Dr. VaughanI have no plans to do so. Family doctors in the National Health Service are required to prescribe whatever drugs are needed for a patient's treatment, and the choice of drug must depend on the circumstances of the individual case. Most drugs for the treatment of obesity are controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and regulations made under that Act; those not already so controlled are monitored so that the case for their control can be considered when sufficient evidence is available.