§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how she regulates the qualifications and service training of laboratory staff carrying out tests for cholesterol and glucose in general practitioners' surgeries and high-street pharmacies.
§ Mr. SackvilleThere is no requirement for staff carrying out tests for cholesterol and glucose in general practitioner surgeries and pharmacies to be regulated. Self-testing diagnostics are available for both of these tests and quite often the same products are used in GP surgeries and pharmacies.
§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health whether GP fundholders and pharmacies carrying out personal scientific medical investigations are required to be licensed and participate in external anonymous quality control procedures; to what extent they are subject to inspection; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. SackvilleGeneral practitioners and pharmacies are not required by law to be licensed, participate in318W external quality control procedures or be subject to inspection. Many GPs participate in voluntary professional schemes and pharmacies are subject to the terms of a professional code covering these issues.
§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures are available to deal with local pharmacies which provide prescription drugs to patients which are dispensed beyond their "use by" date; and what checks are made to ensure the quality of prescription materials.
§ Dr. MawhinneyThe Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain's inspectors include expiry date checking as part of their regular monitoring of professional activities in pharmacies. Any breach of the rules could result in prosecution under section 64 of the Medicines Act and/or reference to the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain's Statutory Committee. The drug testing scheme administered by family health services authorities provides an independent check on the quality of drugs and appliances dispensed.