§ 25. Mr. SteenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the current guidelines laid down by her Department on the purchase of drugs used by general practitioners in the NHS.
§ Dr. MawhinneyThe vast majority of drugs prescribed by general practitioners are purchased and dispensed by community pharmacists. In those cases where GPs purchase drugs to dispense or administer themselves they do so as independent contractors. They are reimbursed for these at discounted rates against the national drug tariff.