§ Mr. BarronTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance is issued to general practitioners by(a) his Department and (b) health authority pharmaceutical advisers in cases where branded medicine is available only by private prescription and a patient suffers adverse reactions to the generic alternatives. [3423]
§ Mr. MaloneNo specific guidance is issued. Clinicians may prescribe any medication available on the national health service which is appropriate to meet patients' needs. Where products are not prescribable, alternatives are available to meet clinical needs. Any adverse reaction to a product would normally be expected in both a branded product and a generic equivalent.