§ Mr. Arnoldasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the conclusions of the article, "Prescribing: the Power to Set Limits", by J. M. Harding and others in the British Medical Journal of 9 February, a copy of which he has received.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe article referred to by my hon. Friend concludes that generic prescribing and a limited list of drugs may improve the quality of prescribing and be the only way to curb prescribing costs. We fully agree with these conclusions.
§ Mr. Chopeasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether his Department will undertake a nationwide public information campaign, including local and national newspaper advertisements, to ensure that patients are aware that the revised limited list proposals meet all their clinical needs.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeYes. A nationwide publicity campaign will be undertaken. We are currently considering what form this should take.