§ Mrs. BallardTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on prescription policy, with special reference to the continuing availability of vitamin and dietary supplements on prescription. [6418]
§ Mr. MilburnAny vitamins and dietary supplements which are licensed as medicines under the Medicines for Human Use (Marketing Authorisations Etc) Regulations 1994 and the Medicines Act 1968 may be prescribed on the National Health Service by general medical practitioners unless they are listed in schedule 10 to the National Health Service (General Medical Services) Regulations 1992. Unlicensed vitamins and dietary supplements, unless they are listed in this same schedule, may also be prescribed on the NHS by general practitioners but such prescriptions may be subject to challenge by health authorities who may, subject to an appeals mechanism, require the practitioner to pay for them.