Skip to main content

Prescription Drugs

Volume 494: debated on Thursday 25 June 2009

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations he has received on the use of generic prescription drugs in the NHS; and if he will make a statement. (281833)

The pharmaceutical price regulation scheme (2008) announced that subject to discussion with affected parties, the Department will introduce generic substitution in primary care. This is a complex issue with many interested stakeholders. Discussions with key stakeholders and interested parties are still underway and are expected to continue into early summer. Some representations have also been received in written format. Issues covered are broad but include implementation implications, for example, whether to exclude certain categories of medicines for clinical reasons. We want to make sure we engage with all stakeholders in the best way possible and are currently considering how best to do so.