HC Deb 15 January 1985 vol 71 cc109-10W
25. Mr. Robert McCrindle

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if discussions with the British Medical Association on the list of drugs which it is proposed to remove from National Health Service prescription are continuing; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

The British Medical Association and its General Medical Services Committee have had meetings with my right hon. Friend and myself to discuss the principle of the limited list proposals and I anticipate at least one further meeting.

However, the Association has so far refused our repeated offers to talk about the content of the limited list of less important drugs to be available under the NHS from 1 April. We very much regret its attitude, which cannot be in the best interests of patients. We also deplore their encouragement of some doctors who are alarming their patients with statements about the consequences of introducing such a list which are, in our opinion, unfounded and misleading. I am glad to say, however, that many individual doctors reject the BMA's claim to speak on their behalf on this issue and are giving us helpful advice and comments on our limited list proposals.

29. Sir Dudley Smith

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what advice he took from outside the United Kingdom in formulating his proposals for a limited list of medicines.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

I refer my hon. Friend to my reply on 30 November 1984, at column318, to my hon. Friend the Member for Northampton, South (Mr. Morris).

32. Mr. Wigley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many representations he has received during the past two months concerning the Government's proposals for generic prescribing of medicines.

35. Mr. Yeo

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received regarding his proposals to introduce generic prescribing by general practitioners.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

I refer to the reply given by my right hon. Friend to my hon. Friend the Member for Keighley (Mr. Waller) earlier today.