Health Department
Primary Care Division | St Andrew's House
Regent Road
Edinburgh EH1 3DG
Telephone: 0131-244 2870
Fax: 0131-244 2375
wilma.dickson@scotland.gsi.gov.uk Date: 14 December 2000 |
Dear Colleague
NICOTINE REPLACEMENT THERAPIES
CONSULTATION ON PROPOSALS TO AMEND SCHEDULE 10 TO THE NHS (GENERAL MEDICAL SERVICES) (SCOTLAND) REGULATIONS 1995
I am writing to consult you on a proposal to allow all nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs) to be prescribed by GPs on the NHS in Scotland. The proposal to consult on making all NRT products available on GP prescription is announced in the Scottish Health Plan, launched today.
Schedule 10 to the National Health Service (General Medical Services) (Scotland) Regulations 1995 lists those products which may not be prescribed by GPs on the NHS. The current proposals are to remove from schedule 10 those NRT products which are listed, namely:
Nicabate Nicotine Transdermal Patch
Nico Patch
Nicobrevin
Nicodex Patch
Niconil Transdermal Patch
Nicorette (Gum)
Nicorette Nasal Spray
Nicorette Patch
Nicorette Plus
Nicostop Patch
Nicotine Patch (QHR Limited)
Nicotinell Gum
Nicotinell TTS Patches
The effect will be that these products, as well as the NRT products which are not listed in Schedule 10, will be prescribable by GPs on the NHSiS.
Smoking is the leading cause of avoidable ill health and early death. Research has shown that there is a wide variation in the numbers of people smoking across society with highest levels in disadvantaged communities. Studies have concluded that NRT doubles the success rate of smokers who try to stop. Making all NRT products available on NHS prescription will increase the chances of stopping smoking for the less affluent smokers, and will help to reduce tobacco related deaths and health inequalities.
The Scottish Executive Health Department would welcome your comments which will inform any decisions about the proposal to amend Schedule 10.
Written comments should be sent by no later than 24 January 2001 to:
Mrs Mary Waugh
Scottish Executive Health Department
Room 29D
St Andrew's House
EDINBURGH
EH1 3DG
Tel: 0131-244 2870
Fax: 0131-244 2375
e-mail: mary.waugh@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
Please advise whether you wish your comments to remain confidential.
Yours sincerely
WILMA A DICKSON
Head of Primary Care Unit A