§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer to the hon. Member for Hastings and Rye (Mrs. Lait) on 16 February,Official Report, columns 159–60, (a) if she will explain the difference between the definition of the 10 therapeutic categories, to which the selected list scheme will be extended, contained in that answer and the definitions given in DOH press notice H92/385 dated 12 November 1992 and (b) if she will list by reference to the British National Formulary those drugs which fall into the relevant 10 new therapeutic categories covered by the selected list scheme.
§ Dr. MawhinneyThe press notice used an abbreviated description of some of the British National Formulary (BNF) categories. The full description of each category, with the relevant BNF section number is shown in the table:
Name of category BNF section number Antidiarrhoeal drugs 1.4 Antihistamines, hyposensitisation and allergic emergencies 3.4 Hypnotics and anxiolytics 4.1 Appetite suppressants 4.5 Treatment of vaginal and vulval conditions 7.2 Contraceptives 7.3 Anaemias 9.1.1.–9.1.3 Rubefacients and other topical anti-rheumatics 10.3.2 Drugs acting on the ear and nose 12.1–12.2 Drugs acting on the skin 13
§ Mrs. Anne CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health following the introduction of limited listing how many new medicines have been launched in(a) the initial seven categories and (b) in all categories.
§ Dr. MawhinneyI refer the hon. Member to the replies I gave the hon. Member for Moray (Mrs. Ewing) on 9 February at columns617 and 618.