Government Response: The National Health Service (General Medical Services Contracts) (Prescription of Drugs Etc.) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2024

Technical Scrutiny point 1:                         The references to “general medical practitioners” in the entries relating to “Oseltamivir (Tamiflu)” and “Zanamivir (Relenza)” was inserted by the National Health Service (General Medical Services Contracts) (Prescription of Drugs Etc.) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 and were not given a defined meaning. The provisions relate to the notification procedures by the Welsh Ministers and have operated effectively without apparent issue during that time. The National Health Service (General Medical Services Contracts) (Prescription of Drugs Etc.) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 inserted a definition of “general medical practitioner” in respect of the restriction on prescribing puberty blockers. The effect of the No. 2 Regulations was to broaden this restriction and the inserted definition not being necessary for this purpose was removed. Therefore, the position in respect of “general medical practitioner” reverts to the prior state which has not appeared to result in any difficulties.