§ Mr. ByersTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if her Department will carry out an investigation into the prescription of fenfluramine hydrochlorides, and in particular, duromine, as an aid to weight loss.
§ Dr. MawhinneyWe have no plans to do so.
§ Mr. ByersTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will investigate the use of prescribed drugs for the prime purpose of weight loss.
§ Dr. MawhinneyNo. Guidelines on the prescribing of these drugs are contained in the British National Formulary which is sent to all doctors.
§ Mr. ByersTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she has any plans to issue guidance to doctors in private practice on the question of prescribed drugs being made available for the prime purpose of weight loss.
§ Dr. MawhinneyNo. The British National Formulary already contains guidance on this point.
§ Mr. ByersTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to review NHS contracts so as to912W restrict the involvement of doctors in the commercial activities of slimming clinics, in particular their power to prescribe drugs in such circumstances.
§ Dr. MawhinneyNone.
§ Mr. ByersTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what information she has on the number of qualified NHS doctors who are involved in the commercial activities of organisations calling themselves slimming clinics.
§ Dr. MawhinneyThis information is not held centrally.