Healthy Skepticism Library item: 8385

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: Journal Article

Limited list prescribing: Society's comments on Minister's provisional list
Pharmaceutical Journal 1985 Feb 2; 234:146-149

Abstract:

A detailed critical assessment prepared by the Pharmaceutical Society’s Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences highlighting the inadequacies of the British government’s provisional limited list of medicines which would remain prescribable under the National Health Service in certain therapeutic groups is presented in full. Inadequacies of some of the products listed under the headings used to classify the provisional list: antacids; laxatives; inhalations; antitussives; analgesics; vitamins; tonics and bitters; and benzodiazepine sedatives and tranquilizers, are presented. Recommendations for alternative preparations are given. The report also points out the possibility of a 2-tiered system of health provision; immediate savings may be counterbalanced later by increased costs; economic damage that will be caused to the British pharmaceutical industry; and the advantages of encouraging generic prescribing. Recommendations to encourage better prescribing are given.