§ David DavisTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment he has made of the changes in workload for clerical staff, which may arise from the decision to reduce the maximum length of a prescription from three months to one month; [136711]
(2) what estimate he made of the costs that will arise from the decision to reduce the maximum length of a prescription from three months to one month. [136712]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonWe have made no such estimates. It is for prescribers to determine the duration of prescriptions, based on their clinical assessment of patients and other relevant factors, including the minimisation of waste. We have not issued guidance on the duration of prescriptions. However, it is common practice for general practitioner prescriptions to be issued for one month or 28 days at a time.