§ Sir Peter Emeryasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will add the Mini-Wright peak flow meter for asthma sufferers to the list of appliances approved for general practitioner prescribing; and what are the reasons for his decision.
§ Mr. John Patten[pursuant to his reply,17 July 1984, c.156] In 1984–85, the NHS in England will spend more than £1,182 million on drugs and appliances supplied against GP prescriptions, and over 72 per cent. of these are supplied to people who are exempt from prescription charges. Any suggestion which would increase this expenditure must be considered very carefully.
The addition of the peak flow meter to the list of items which can be prescribed by GPs would involve substantial exta costs and we do not believe they would be justified. If it is medically essential for any patient to have a personal peak flow meter for frequent use at home it may be supplied on the NHS through the hospital service.