§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines have been given to health authorities for the prescribing of the drug Zyban; and which health authorities allow GPs to prescribe this drug. [134133]
§ Mr. DenhamThe Department issued guidance to local smoking cessation co-ordinators on 28 June, which was copied to health authority prescribing advisers, copies of which have been placed in the Library. The NHS Plan announced that NICE will be asked to advise general practitioners on the most appropriate and cost-effective prescribing regimes for nicotine replacement therapy and Zyban, including duration and targeting. All general practitioners across England may prescribe bupropion (Zyban) to smokers motivated to quit for whom it is clinically appropriate.