§ Dr. MarekTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the grounds on which she can reject recommendations by independent expert committees, including the Advisory Committee on NHS Drugs and the Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances so as to make decisions on the availability of NHS medicines at variance with the expert committees' recommendations.
§ Dr. MawhinneyDecisions about whether or noit products should be available on national health service prescription are made by Ministers after taking account of expert advice, including any recommendation of the Advisory Committee on NHS Drugs and the Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances. The basis on which such decisions are made reflect the particular circumstan ces of individual products. The grounds for deciding to exclude a product from NHS prescription, whether or not this is in line with a recommendation of a committee, are always explained to the manufacturer who is given an opportunity to make representations before the final decision.