§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will place in the Library a list indicating each of the drugs and other substances proposed not to be available on prescription on the National Health Service as from 1 April; and what is the alternative drug or drugs, or generic substitute available on the National Health Service limited list.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe selected list of drugs to remain available on NHS prescription after 1 April provides an adequate range of medicines in each therapeutic category covered by the new arrangements. Doctors will decide which drugs to prescribe on the basis of the clinical needs of individual patients. They are regularly sent comprehensive information about drugs, such as the British National Formulary, which will help them to make those decisions. A list of all possible alternative drugs could be produced only at disproportionate cost.
§ Mr. Marlowasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proposals he has to inform the public with regard to the new National Health Service list of drugs.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeI refer my hon. Friend to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Surrey, North-West (Mr. Grylls) on 8 March.