(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations amend the National Health Service (General Medical Services Contracts) (Prescription of Drugs Etc.) (Wales) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/1022 (W. 119)) (“the principal Regulations”), which make provision as to the drugs, medicines or other substances that may be ordered for patients in the provision of medical services under a general medical services contract (“GMS contract”) within the meaning of section 42 of the National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006 (c. 42).
Regulation 2 makes amendments to the table in Schedule 2 to the principal Regulations (drugs or medicines to be ordered only in certain circumstances) which restricts the circumstances in which drugs and medicines specified in column 1 of the table may be ordered for the category of patients described in column 2 of the table for the purpose specified in column 3 of the table.
Regulation 2(2)(a) to (c) restricts the circumstances in which drugs and medicines that consist of or contain gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogues may be ordered.
Regulation 2(2)(d) removes the restriction on ordering Cyanocobalamin Tablets for the treatment or prevention of vitamin B12 deficiency.
The Welsh Ministers’ Code of Practice on the carrying out of Regulatory Impact Assessments was considered in relation to these Regulations. As a result, a regulatory impact assessment has been prepared as to the likely costs and benefits of complying with these Regulations. A copy can be obtained by contacting the Health and Social Services Group, Welsh Government, Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 3NQ.