Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, which national body has responsibility for routinely auditing prescribing data to identify GP repeat-prescribing of topical corticosteroids that is (a) long-term and (b) high-potency.
The NHS Business Services Authority collects and publishes prescribing data for primary care in England. NHS England and the Department do not routinely audit data to identify general practice repeat-prescribing of topical corticosteroids that is long-term and high-potency. Responsibility for reviewing repeat prescribing practices sits with individual practices and their commissioners, who are expected to ensure prescribing is safe, appropriate, and in line with relevant clinical guidance.