§ Mr. Gryllsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what expert advice he took on the level of patient compliance to be expected from the use of the British Pharmacopoeia formulations listed as prescribable under the National Health Service in his illustrative list;
(2) what estimate he has made of National Health Service resources likely to be wasted annually from 1 April 1985 through the prescribing of basic medicines which have a low record of patient compliance.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeWe have no reason to believe that there will be any significant change in the pattern of patient compliance from 1 April 1985.
§ Mr. Gryllsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what assistance he proposes to give to retail pharmacists in explaining to their customers why, from 1 April 1985, they will not be able to obtain on National Health Service prescriptions the medicines they have been accustomed to receiving.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeI am discussing with the pharmaceutical profession how best patients should be informed and reassured that all essential medicines will continue to be available on the National Health Service.
§ Mr. Gryllsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what consultation he has initiated with the principals of the British hospice movement regarding his proposed limited list of drugs.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe Government will welcome any suggestions made separately about specialised needs, and we have already received correspondence on this issue from individuals working in hospices. We also expect consultation with the medical profession generally to reflect views of the hospice movement.
§ Mr. Michael Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, pursuant to his speech to the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators on 11 December, he will list the drugs outside the scope of his proposed limited list which the pharmaceutical industry has claimed will no longer be available under the National Health Service; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe final list of drugs to remain available on the National Health Service in each of the groups covered by the limited list proposals will not be determined until our consultation with the professions and industry is complete. I welcome this opportunity to make it clear that, contrary to statements made elsewhere, our proposals do not affect NHS provision of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen and so on); the more powerful analgesics like pentazocine (Fortral) and dihydrocodeine tartrate (DF118); the high dose vitamins required to treat vitamin deficiency; or folic acid. These drugs will still be available for prescription under the National Health Service after 1 April 1985. We attach importance to consultation with the professions and the industry to ensure that no essential drug is omitted from the list.