§ Mr. Mikardoasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, in view of the action being taken by the World Health Organisation and by a number of member Governments to rationalise the number of drugs in the interests of better health and of reduced expenditure, he will review his policy on drugs in the same way.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe World Health Organisation's action programme on essential drugs is primarily intended to ensure that developing countries have access to a range of basic drugs despite severe economic and supply problems. The programme has the Government's full support in those objectives, but it is not directly applicable to a country like the United Kingdom which already has a comprehensive health service. I continue to seek other ways of encouraging more effective and economical prescribing.