Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure that GPs and commissioners follow the latest NICE guidance on the prescription of drugs for alcohol dependence.

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance describe best practice and health and care commissioners are expected to take them fully into account. NICE guidance provides recommendations on best practice in terms of both the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of interventions and services.

The Government has taken a robust approach to tackling alcohol harms. Between 2016 and 2020/21 we are investing more than £16 billion in local government public health services. In 2019/20 over £3 billion is to be used exclusively on public health including alcohol treatment services.