HC Deb 15 November 1983 vol 48 cc430-1W
50. Mr. Heathcoat-Amory

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if Her Majesty's Government will publish guidelines to govern the quantity of drugs prescribed by general practitioners.

Mr. Kenneth Carke

We have no plans to do so at present. A National Health Service doctor may prescribe any drug or medicine in whatever quantity he considers necessary for the treatment of a patient. We do, however, have the support of the British Medical Association in encouraging doctors to restrict the amount they prescribe on any one occasion in the interests of both economy and safety.