Abstract

Our article on complex buffering antacids concluded that magaldrate should not have been added to the DHSS limited list on the assumption that a drug would be added only if it had an advantage over those already listed in terms of safety, efficacy, cost or convenience. However, the terms of reference of the Advisory Committee on NHS Drugs which were subsequently published state that a drug will be included if there is “objective evidence that there is a real clinical need for the product which is not met by drugs already available under the NHS or is as effective as the available drugs at the same cost or less”. The last phrase fully justifies the re-introduction of magaldrate.