§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they intend to restrict the prescribing of brand name drugs in prisons as in the National Health Service, and if so, whether the relevant circular instruction will be published.
§ Lord EltonIt is already the policy of the Director of Prison Medical Services and the Head Pharmacist to encourage prison medical officers and pharmacists to use non-proprietary medicines where these are cheaper and are considered by the prescribing doctor to be as appropriate and effective as equivalent brand products. The possible need for further guidance will be considered when we know what medicines are to remain available for prescribing on the National Health Service from 1st April 1985. The list announced by my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Social Services on 8th November (HCOfficial Report, Vol 67, cols. 225–228) is provisional and is the subject of consultation.