HC Deb 21 November 1980 vol 994 c6W
Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what arrangements have been or will be made to distribute to doctors copies of the British National Formulary; what estimates have been made of the cost of doing so; whether this publication will contain such information as is now provided in MIMS: and, if not, what information is omitted.

Sir George Young

[pursuant to his reply, 13 November 1980, c.430]: All doctors in the NHS will be sent the new version of the British National Formulary when it is published early next year. Preliminary estimates include approximately £304,000 for the purchase and distribution to doctors of two editions per year.

The revised format of the new BNF, which is independently produced by a joint committee of representatives of the medical and pharmaceutical professions, will be unlike the Monthly Index of Medical Specialties, which is a commercial publication of reference advertisements for branded products.

The BNF will contain a wide range of drugs, both proprietary and approved name versions; it will carry prescribing notes and advice; relative costs will be indicated and drugs of choice will be clearly distinguished from less-desirable preparations.