HC Deb 12 February 1985 vol 73 cc151-2W
20. Mr. Wigley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services from how many general practitioners he has received representations over the past three months concerning his proposals to restrict the drugs available on the National Health Service; and, of these, how many have been in support of his proposals and how many opposed to them.

29. Mr. Pike

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what further representations he has received regarding his proposal to introduce a restricted list for National Health Service prescriptions.

38. Mr. Hicks

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the number of representations his Department has now received in response to his proposals to limit the prescribing of certain drugs and medicines on the National Health Service; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

I refer the hon. Members and my hon. Friend to my reply to the hon. Member for Stoke on Trent, Central, (Mr. Fisher) and my hon. Friend the Member fof Suffolk, South (Mr. Yeo), earlier today.

45. Mr. Gerald Howarth

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what recent representations he has received from pharmacists concerning his proposals with regard to drug prescribing.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

We have received representations from a wide range of individuals and organisations, including pharmacists and bodies representing the profession. We are considering all these views carefully.

55. Mr. Willie W. Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the progress made in his consultations on his recent proposals on the use of drugs in the National Health Service.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

The consultation period has now ended and we have received many helpful suggestions and comments from a wide variety of sources. We are now considering these comments and will announce our conclusions and the final content of the limited list as soon as possible.

Mr. Marlow

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many complaints he has received about the way in which doctors have represented to elderly patients the nature of his plans for limited list prescribing; and if he has any plans to discuss this matter with family practitioner committees.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

Many people share the Government's concern at the way in which some doctors have alarmed their patients, including the elderly, with misleading statements about the consequences of limiting the drugs available under the National Health Service. I have made it quite clear to the British Medical Association that I regard its advice to doctors on this form of campaigning as unethical and falling short of desirable professional standards of behaviour. I have no plans to discuss the matter with family practitioner committees.