§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many nurse practitioners are currently operating in Britain; under whose authority and on what conditions they operate; which of these nurse practitioners are allowed to dispense drugs under the general supervision of a general practitioner; and what information he has as to the nature and effectiveness of the service they provide.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeNurse practitioner is not recognised as a definition of a professional group in the 599W National Health Service. As a matter of law, "prescription-only" medicine must be supplied in accordance with the prescription of a doctor. A nurse may not, therefore, dispense such drugs on her own initiative even under the general supervision of a general medical practitioner. This legislation has been enacted by Parliament as a protection for the consumers of medicines and drugs.