§ 21. Mr. SumbergTo ask the Secretary of State for Health when he last met the Health Reform Group to discuss the proposals relating to the management of indicative drug budgets.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeI last met the Health Reform Group formally on 9 January 1990 and had a wide-ranging discussion on our proposed National Health Service reforms which it warmly supports.
§ 106. Mr. StevensTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received concerning the proposed indicative drug budgets.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyWe have received 766 representations specifically referring to the proposals on indicative prescribing budgets. In addition we have received some 14,000 representations about the White Paper proposals in general, many of which have raised questions about, amongst other things, indicative prescribing budgets. Many of the letters concern the availability of medicines under the new system. As representations of the profession accept general practitioners will be able to continue to prescribe all the medicines which individual patients might need.