§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the names of the people who decide what items are on the NHS drug tariff list; what are the qualifications of each of those people; what criteria were used to make the decisions to include items on the list; how often the drug tariff list is reviewed; what is the legal status of the drug tariff; and what discretion is open to consultants to waive the restrictions of the drug tariff and prescribe non-listed items on the NHS.
§ Dr. MawhinneyThe drug tariff, which is published monthly, sets out inter alia the list of appliances and dressings that general practitioners may prescribe under the national health service.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is required to promulgate this list under regulation 18 of the National Health Service (Pharmaceutical Services) Regulations 1992 which are made under section 41 of the National Health Service Act 1977, as amended. It follows that general practitioners cannot prescribe under the national health service items that are not on this list; consultants are not restricted by this legalisation but prescribe within locally agreed priorities and available resources. We decide what new categories of appliances should be added to the drug tariff, taking into account the availability of resources. The assessment of whether particular products within these categories should be listed is undertaken by officials, with relevant professional qualifications and expertise. The criteria used are the quality, safety and efficacy of the product, the value it offers for public money and the effect on overall costs.