HC Deb 30 July 1997 vol 299 cc375-6W
Mr. Cousins

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his Department's current policy concerning charges for the provision of diabetic needles by(a) general practitioners and (b) health authorities and trusts; what guidance it provides about such charges; and if that policy and guidance are under review. [9559]

Mr. Milburn

[holding answer 22 July 1997]: If a general practitioner prescribes, as part of general medical services, a diabetic needle that is listed for the purposes of section 41 of the National Health Service Act 1977, it will be dispensed as part of pharmaceutical services and will attract a prescription charge. The same is true for needles issued to hospital out-patients on prescription by hospital doctors. Under the National Health Services (Charges for Drugs and Appliances) Regulations 1989, as amended, people with diabetes mellitus—except where treatment is by diet alone—are exempt from all prescription charges, including any which would relate to the prescribing of needles.

If a general practitioner himself provides diabetic needles to a patient as part of general medical services, he can make no charge. Likewise, under section 1 of the 1977 Act, health authorities and trusts must not charge for services and equipment, except where the legislation expressly indicates that a charge should be made. In all other cases, including diabetic needles, where a health authority or trust—taking account of resources, needs and clinical priorities locally—decides that a piece of equipment should be provided as part of national health service treatment, it should be provided free of charge. The Department of Health reminded health authorities and trusts of this in executive letter EL(92)20, issued in March 1992. The policy on provision of equipment by the national health service has not changed since then and is still under consideration.

Mr. Sanders

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 21 July,Official Report, column 414, on GP prescribing of insulin pen needles, what matters (a) have so far been considered and (b) remain to be considered in his review of insulin pen prescription; and if he will make a statement. [10473]

Mr. Milburn

All relevant aspects of this issue are being considered.

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