Catalogue description Ministry of Health and Department of Health and Social Security: Regional Medical Officers Prescribing Investigations, Registered Files (File Office B Series)

General practitioners enjoy wide powers of discretion in prescribing for their patients, but are ultimately responsible to Local Medical Committees (LMCs). Where the Area Prescription Investigation Bureau has reason to question a doctor's prescribing practice, the Regional Medical Officer (RMO) will investigate and, if necessary, offer guidance. The RMO's findings are reported to the District Medical Officer who monitors the doctor's subsequent practice.

In some cases, the LMC may be asked to take further action by calling a meeting with the doctor and a representative of the Minister to discuss the matter, and advise the Minister of their decision. The LMC may impose a strict warning and a loss of remuneration to defray the cost of over-prescribing. The doctor has a right of appeal against the decision of the LMC and its assessment of the amount of remuneration withheld. In such cases, independent referees appointed by the Minister will hold a further meeting with the doctor, and report to the Minister.

The Area Prescription Investigation Bureau informs general practitioners annually of their prescribing costs and how they compare with colleagues in the same area. Detailed documents are sent to doctors when their costs are above the area average, and histograms are produced showing the comparative cost of commonly used preparations. This information is intended to assist doctors in comparing their prescribing costs and habits with their colleagues, and to enable them to reduce costs without lowering the standard of treatment.