§ Ms. Harmanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has reached any decision on the prescribing by general practitioners of home blood glucose testing strips for diabetic patients.
§ Mrs. CurrieThis is still under review.
§ Ms. Harmanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services why general practitioners working within the National Health Service are not allowed to prescribe plastic disposable syringes for the use of diabetic patients in cases where such syringes are considered by the doctor to be more suited to the patients needs.
§ Mrs. CurrieDiabetic patients who need disposable syringes can obtain them free through the hospital service. We are aware, however, that many diabetic patients prefer disposable syringes and the possibility of including them in the list of prescribable appliances is under review.