HC Deb 24 July 1985 vol 83 c600W
Mr. Alfred Morris

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what representations his Department has had from the National Deaf Children's Society about prescribing mucolytic drugs under the National Health Service; if there is any action he is taking; and if he will make a statement;

(2) if there is any action he has taken to restore mucodyne as a prescribable drug under the National Health Service.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

We have received a number of letters about the exclusion of oral mucolytics from National Health Service prescription including two from the National Deaf Children's Society. We asked the recently established Advisory Committee on NHS Drugs to consider this group of drugs, which includes mucodyne, at their first meetings. They began their consideration of these drugs yesterday but have not yet reached their conclusions.

Mr. Pike

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received regarding the non-inclusion of mucodyne on the restricted list.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

We have received a number of letters and other representations about the drug mucodyne and other oral mucolytics. The recently established Advisory Committee on National Health Service Drugs is now considering submissions from the manufacturers of these drugs as a matter of priority.