§ Paul FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment has been made of the extent to which general practitioners accept financial inducements from pharmaceutical companies to prescribe unnecessary drugs to patients without their consent; and what plans he has to introduce measures to prevent this practice. [99489]
§ Mr. LammyMeasures to prohibit the offer by pharmaceutical companies to general practitioners of financial or other inducements to prescribe medicines are contained in the Medicines (Advertising) Regulations 1994. Where medicines are being promoted, the Regulations prohibit the offer of any gift, pecuniary advantage or benefit in kind unless it is inexpensive and relevant to the practice of medicine. It is also an offence for a prescriber to solicit any prohibited inducement.
Any complaint concerning the offer by pharmaceutical companies of an inducement to prescribe medicines is investigated by the Medicines Control Agency and as appropriate, the industry self-regulatory body, the Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority. Allegations of the acceptance of an inducement may also be referred to the General Medical Council.