§ Mr. Gareth WardellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish in theOfficial Report those substitutes available for Acetylcysteine on the limited list.
§ Mrs. CurrieNo. The prescribing of substitutes is a matter of clinical judgment but alternative treatment might include simple inhalations, or an oral or nasal decongestant, an antihistamine or an expectorant.
The advisory committee on National Health Service drugs has reviewed the position of Acetylcysteine and confirmed the recommendation of the Chief Medical
Gross expenditure on the National Healths Service (United Kingdom) Year £ million Percentage change over previous year Percentage of GDP1 Percentage change in GDP1 over previous year 1970–713 2,150 13.5 4.0 10.7 1976–773 6,539 16.3 5.1 16.8 1979–80 9,501 18.9 4.6 20.0 1984–85 17,223 7.3 5.2 7.1 1988.89 Information not yet available Source: Department of Health Statistics
Similar information relating net (ie public) expenditure on the National Health service to the public expenditure planning total is as follows:
472W
Net National Health Service expeniture Year £ million Percentage change over previous year Percentage expenditure planning total2 Percentage change in planning total over previous year 1970–713 2,086 13.5 n/a n/a 1976–773 6,408 16.3 11.8 11.9 1979–80 9,278 18.7 11.9 18.7 Officer's working group which drew up the original selected list, that oral mucolytics such as Acetylcysteine are of no proven therapeutic value in the treatment of respiratory conditions.
We have, however, accepted that Acetylcysteine should be available for the management of those conditions where some benefit might be obtained, and it may be prescribed for any patient who has abdominal complications associated with cystic fibrosis.