Postcode prescribing to be cut in Scotland
New measures to cut postcode prescribing have been announced in Scotland.
From next spring, the Scottish Medicines Consortium will classify new
drugs into two categories: unique drugs for specific conditions and
drugs for conditions where drugs with the same clinical properties
already exist.
This will be coupled with an agreed national programme for unique drugs
so that, following SMC approval, every health board in Scotland will
be required to make the drug available at the same time. This will normally
be within three months. For drugs where alternatives exist, health boards
will be able to make local decisions.
In addition, an early-warning system will be introduced so that health
boards get up to 12 months’ notice before innovative drugs are
launched. This will be achieved by the SMC working more closely with
the Scottish section of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical
Industry.
The moves were announced by the Scottish Executive.
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