HC Deb 06 February 1985 vol 72 cc605-6W
Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why he did not consult the presidents of the medical royal colleges before making his proposals for the limited list of drugs prescribable within the National Health Service.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke:

Over the last two years there has been a large amount of debate involving the Government and members and representative of the medical profession on the subject of containing drug costs, and the profession's views are well known. I do not see that further private consultations before we announced the beginning of public consultation would have served any useful purpose. We have of course now been consulting with the medical and pharmaceutical professions about the limited list for almost three months since my right hon. Friend's announcement on 8 November 1984.

Mr. Grylls

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he proposes to announce the final, definitive list of medicines which will be prescribable under the National Health Service from 1 April; when he proposes to announce the final, definitive list of medicines which will not be prescribable under the National Health Service from the same date; and whether he intends to publish on the same dates the criteria by which both prescribable and non-prescribable medicines have been selected for inclusion in those lists.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke:

We will make a comprehensive announcement as soon as possible.

Mr. Dobson

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proportion of proprietary medicines dispensed to people on free National Health Service prescriptions he expects will be sold across the counter as a result of his limited list proposals.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke:

It is our intention that the drugs on the final list should meet all clinical needs. While some patients may prefer to buy a favourite brand name drug, we have made no estimate of their potential numbers.

Mr. Meadowcroft

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he regulates existing limited lists for prescribing in hospital.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke:

No. Where they exist hospital formularies are drawn up locally, usually by local drug and therapeutic committees.

Mr. Steen

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many representations he has had about the availability of laxatives under the National Health Service sufficient to provide relief in all cases of constipation, following the introduction of his proposed limited list.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke:

We have received a number of comments about the laxatives to remain available on National Health Service prescription under our limited list proposals. We are considering them all carefully. I can assure my hon. Friend that it is our intention that an adequate range of laxatives should continue to be prescribable under the National Health Service.