Posted by ed_uk on January 26, 2007, at 13:42:05
In reply to Re: Wyeth gets approvable letter from FDA for Pris, posted by notfred on January 25, 2007, at 23:38:05
Hi
>Where does the NHS stand on cases such as this?
Prescribing of such drugs is strongly discouraged in the UK. Although doctors *can* legally prescribe expensive new 'patent extenders' at NHS expense, they are generally expected to follow local or national guidelines RE which drugs are acceptable to prescribe. As an example, GPs in the UK are not expected to prescribe Cymbalta unless it has been initiated by a Consultant Psychiatrist.
Pharm reps in the UK do not give 'samples' to doctors, this is not considered to be acceptable practice. Advertising of new meds is always counteracted by critical reports by NHS organisations unless the new product has clear and important advantages over less expensive treatments.
Doctors in the UK are expected to prescribe most drugs by the generic name. Prescribing expensive brand names such as Prozac is frowned upon because it wastes a great deal of the tax-payers money when generic equivalents are available.
Ed
poster:ed_uk
thread:726403
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070125/msgs/726740.html