GPC prescribing investigation following STITCH call

The General Practitioners Committee (GPC) of the British Medical Association is undertaking an investigation into prescribing, following the Improving Care in Self-Harm Health Integration Team (STITCH HIT) called for medicines that are lethal in overdose to be dispensed in small batches without extra cost to the patient.

The GPC prescribing sub-committee will investigate the issue, which was raised to chairman Dr Andrew Green by STITCH HIT member Dominique Thompson, a GP who leads the student health service at the University of Bristol.

The story made the front page of GP magazine, and follows Bristol East MP Kerry McCarthy raising the issue in Parliament in June.