HC Deb 08 March 1985 vol 74 cc639-42W
Mr. Michael Morris

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will list the dates of introduction of all the drugs on his amended limited list;

(2) how many and which products on his amended limited list will fall into the category of only having a licence of right.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

Information about the dates of introduction of medicines on the selected list could be extracted from our records only at disproportionate cost. However, we do know that the great majority were already on the market when the Medicines Act became operational in 1971.

The table lists the products mentioned in the selected list which still have licences of right. The total is 394 licences. These represent just over half of the licensed products on the selected list. As part of our review programme these products will be assessed under the Medicines Act over the next few years.

List of medicinal products on the selected list which have licences of right under the Medicines Act* Number of Products with Licences of Right
Product Name Number
Antacids
ALU-CAP 1
Aluminium Hydroxide Tablets BP 9
Aluminium Hydroxide Mixture BP 5
Magnesium Hydroxide Mixture BP 6
Magnesium Trisilicate BP 1
Magnesium Trisilicate Tablets, Compound BP 13
Magnesium Trisilicate Mixture BP 6
Calcium Carbonate Mixture, Compound, Paediatric BPC 1
Chalk Mixture, Paediatric BP 3
Sodium Bicarbonate Mixture, Paediatric BPC 1
Sodium Bicarbonate Tablets, Compound BP 8
Laxatives
Bulk Laxatives:
CELEVAC TABLETS 1
CELLUCON TABLETS 1
ISOGEL 1
METAMUCIL 2
NORMACOL SPECIAL 1
VI-SIBLIN 1
Stimulant Laxatives:
Bisacodyl Tablets BP 5mg 2
DORBANEX CAPSULES, LIQUID AND LIQUID FORTE 3
SENOKOT GRANULES 1
SENOKOT SYRUP 1
Senna Tablets BP 1
Faecal Softeners:
DIOCTYL SYRUP 1
DIOCTYL TABLETS 1
Osmotic Laxatives:
Magnesium Sulphate BP 3
Magnesium Sulphate Mixture BP 2
Suppositories:
Bisacodyl Suppositories BP (all strengths) 1
Glycerol Suppositories BP (all sizes) 8
X-PREP LIQUID 1
Analgesics
For Mild to Moderate Pain
Aspirin Tablets BP (all strengths) 3
Aspirin Tablets, Dispersible BP 1
Codeine Phosphate Syrup BP 3
Codeine Phosphate Tablets BP (all strengths) 3
Paracetamol Elixir, Paediatric BP 2
Paracetamol Tablets BP (all strengths) 3
Pentazocine Lactate Injection BP 1
Aloxiprin Tablets BP 1
CAPRIN 1
MIDRID 1
MIGRALEVE (Pink and Yellow) 1
Cough and Cold Remedies
Cough Suppressants:
Codeine Linctus BP 2
Pholcodine Linctus BP 13
Pholcodine Linctus, Strong BP 9

Product Name Number
PHOLCOMED DIABETIC LINCTUS 1
Expectorants, Demulcents and Compound Preparations:
Ammonium Chloride Mixture BP 2
Simple Linctus BP 13
Simple Linctus, Paediatric BP 6
Systemic Nasal Decongestants
SUDAFED ELIXIR 1
SUDAFED TABLETS 1
Inhalations:
Benzoin Tincture, Compound BP 12
Menthol and Eucalyptus Inhalation BP 9
Topical Nasal Decongestants:
Ephedrine Nasal Drops BPC 0.5% w/v 8
Ephedrine Nasal Drops BNF 1% w/v 1
Xylometazoline Hydrochloride nasal drops BP 0.05% w/v 1
Xylometazoline Hydrochloride nasal drops BP 0.1% w/v 1
Inhalation Mucolytics
AIRBRON 1
ALEVAIRE 1
Bitters and Tonics
Gentian Mixture, Acid BPC 1
Gentian Mixture, Alkaline BP 3
Vitamins
Vitamin A Preparations:
Halibut Liver Oil Capsules BP 16
RO-A-VIT TABLETS 1
Vitamins A and D Capsules BPC 6
Vitamin B Preparations:
Nicotinamide Tablets BP (all strengths) 13
Pyridoxine Hydrochloride Tablets BP l0mg, 20mg, 50mg 15
Thiamine Hydrochloride Injection BP (all strengths) 1
Thiamine Hydrochloride Tablets BP (all strengths) 21
Vitamin B Tablets, Compound BPC 2
Vitamin B Tablets, Compound, Strong BPC 1
Vitamin C Preparations:
Ascorbic Acid Injection BPC 1
Ascorbic Acid Tablets BP 25mg, 50mg, l00mg, 200mg, 500mg 62
Vitamin D Preparations:
AT 10 1
Calciferol Injection BP 1
Calciferol Solution BP 1
Calciferol Tablets, High Strength BP 6
Calciferol Tablets, Strong BP 1973 4
Vitamin E Preparations:
EPHYNAL TABLETS (all strengths) 4
VITA-E GELS, VITA-E GELUCAPS, VITA-E SUCCINATE TABLETS 6
Vitamin K Preparations:
SYNKAVIT INJECTION (all strengths) 2
SYNKAVIT TABLETS 1
Oral Multivitamin Preparations:
ABIDEC DROPS 1
DALIVIT DROPS 1
Vitamins Capsules BPC 8
PARENTROVITE 1
PABRINEX 1
Folic Acid Tablets BP 20

Product Name Number
Folic Acid with iron 5
Total 394
* Proprietary preparations are shown in block capitals.

Mr. Grylls

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what specific publicity he proposes to institute to inform the public of the list of medicines which will cease to be prescribable on the National Health Service after 1 April.

Mr. Kenneth Clark

We have already made our new proposals widely available through the press. A leaflet is being prepared for issue to patients through general practitioners and pharmacists.