How the Clinical Standards Board for Scotland audit and monitor postcode prescribing and what action is taken where NHS trusts refuse to pr…

NHSScotland is expected to take account of advice and evidence from bodies such as the Health Technology Board and the Scottish Medicines Consortium and ensure that recommended drugs or treatments are made available to meet clinical need. Such advice and evidence is also an integral part of the development of condition-specific standards by the Clinical Standards Board for Scotland. The board's assessment of compliance with these standards, and with its overall clinical governance standards, provides an independent check that procedures are in place locally to implement relevant evidence-based guidance and recommendations.Any evidence that suggests that NHSScotland was not taking account of this advice or evidence would be followed up proactively by the Scottish Executive Health Department.