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These reports have also been reviewed by independent experts of the Commission on Human Medicines’ COVID-19 Vaccines Benefit Risk Expert Working Group and members of its Medicines for Women’s Health Expert Advisory Group.
Questions and Answers
Date answered:
30 March 2022
Regulation for the licensing, safety and efficacy of medicines is reserved to the UK Government and is the responsibility of the UK’s independent medicines regulator the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
We have focused on moving from branded to generic medicines, and we are looking at polypharmacy and reducing the number of medicines that we prescribe to people.
We have also initiated inquiries into—
Social prescribing of physical activity and sport;
The supply and demand for medicines;
Social care; and
COVID-19.
Members are advised to lodge amendments in good time before the beginning of a Stage and as early as possible during the day. (G) = Government Bill; (M) = Member’s Bill; (C) = Committee Bill; (P) = Private Bill; (H) = Hybrid Bill.
The Scottish Government is working to ensure an overarching approach for advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs) is in place in order to facilitate a ‘once for Scotland’ approach, where possible.
Comprehensive reviews of prescriptions are not routinely taking place
Several reasons were outlined to us as to why reviews may not be taking place—
A reluctance to change medicines, both on the part of the patient and the prescriber; and
Resources required to undertake reviews, including GP time and the pharmacotherapy aspects of the GMS contract.
Patients' Views
The need for open conversations with patients on their medicines was emphasised throughout the inquiry, including on whether or not to change their prescriptions and prescription regimes.
Members are advised to lodge amendments in good time before the beginning of a Stage and as early as possible during the day. (G) = Government Bill; (M) = Member’s Bill; (C) = Committee Bill; (P) = Private Bill; (H) = Hybrid Bill.