UK Pharma group ABPI has qualms about GMC proposal

Responding to the UK General Medical Council (GMC) consultation on “Good practice in prescribing and managing medicines and devices,” the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) says that, following discussion with its member companies, it considers that the proposed GMC guidance in covering a broad range of topics will generally be useful to doctors.

However, in one particular area, namely the prescribing of off-label or unlicensed medicines, there is a significant departure from previous guidance that we believe will result in the public being provided with a reduced level of protection compared to the current guidance.

The ABPI supports the critical role that the GMC plays in protecting the public and believes that it can best fulfill this role by ensuring that all its guidance continues to put the best interests of patients above any other consideration. It believes that the GMC’s current guidance offers a higher degree of patient protection than the proposed guidance now being consulted upon.