§ Mr. David Atkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many representations he has received from the pharmaceutical profession concerning their legal protection in the dispensing of forged prescriptions; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NewtonWe have had one representation from the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee and one letter from an individual.
§ Mr. David Atkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what measures were taken by his Department to advise retail outlets other than pharmacies regarding the withdrawal of junior aspirin.
§ Mrs. CurrieThe Department discussed with the pharmaceutical industry a number of measures to give publicity to the recommendation of the Committee on Safety of Medicines on 9 June 1986, that aspirin should not be given to children under 12 except on medical advice. Manufacturers immediately voluntarily stopped the supply of all aspirin-containing products for children and arranged to inform retail outlets of their action. I am advised that the manufacturers subsequently placed advertisements in trade journals and in ethnic minority newspapers, in addition to the extensive general publicity; some manufacturers wrote individually to retail outlets.
§ Mr. David Atkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects the new arrangements for National Health Service contracts for pharmacists to come into effect.
§ Mr. NewtonThe introduction of the new arrangements for National Health Service pharmacy contracts is dependent on the enactment of the National Health Service (Amendment) Bill. No decision has yet been taken on an implementation date for the new contract.