§ Mr. BurdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is her policy regarding the availability of anti-smoking patches on the national health service; and if she will make a statement.
§ Dr. MawhinneyWe have decided that nicotine patches should not be available on national health service prescription. We do not consider their supply to be a priority for the use of the limited resources available to the national health service. Statutory Instrument 2421—the National Health Service (General Medical Services) Amendment (No. 2) Regulations 1993—which was laid before the House on 11 October, adds a number of nicotine patch products to the list of items which cannot be prescribed by general practitioners.