Question reference: S1W-02819
- Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 26 November 1999
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Current status: Answered by Susan Deacon on 10 December 1999
Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-2438 by Susan Deacon on 23 November 1999, what plans it has to make nicotine patches available on prescription.
Answer
We have no current plans to do so. However, an additional £1 million per year in 1999-2000 and for the next two years has been allocated to Health Boards to spend on smoking cessation services and nicotine replacement therapy. These services will provide counselling, advice and support to smokers who want to give up. A week's supply of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) will also be offered, free of charge to those who can least afford it.