The committee was set up in response to GPs request for support in their prescribing decision making particulary in the areas of newly marketed products and requests to prescribe from secondary care colleagues. Each member of the committee is nominated by the relevant professional or management group with the understanding that those nominated should be recognised by their peers as a representing their views. General practitioner members are nominated by LMCs. The Medical and Pharmaceutical Advisers are nominated by the Professional Advisers Committee.
Membership is for three years.
Retiring members are however eligible for re-election. The membership of the committee is made available on request. Key presentations on relevant issues precede the committees business meeting. The literature evaluations for products to be considered at each meeting are circulated in draft form two weeks before the planned meetings. At this stage all members are encouraged to comment on the evaluations and identify any additional information required.