I found this in the BMJ, while searching for something to copy for IT class. I thought I'd post it here. It is regarding the prescribing of metforming for pcos.
re Helen Lawrie's doctors comment that use of Metformin for PCOS was illegal in the UK - not so, but would be an off-license use of a licensed drug, ie this would be unlicensed use of this drug.
Addition of new indications to a current drug's license is hugely costly to a drug company, and if the drug is nolonger on exclusive patent, then there is no "profit" for the company concerned when any generic manufacturer can "cash-in". Think of the long delay for low dose aspirin to have a licensed product for use in heart disease. It is therefore likely that Metformin will ever be officially licensed for PCOS.
UK doctors are free to prescribe any drug that has not been specifically banned, restricted or NHS blacklisted. However liability lies with the doctor prescibing a drug out side the terms of its license.
Therefore:
1) The doctor must have sufficient knowledge on the safe use of the drug for the condition:
a) there will be no information from the drug companies as to dosage or safety
b) most Gynaecologists that I have come across do not use insulin resistance in their management of patients with PCOS - so what hope for General Practitions having heard of this?
2) If the doctor feels competent & prepared to effectively "experiment" with Metformin, then this should be fully discussed with the patient.
Source:
http://bmj.com/cgi/eletters/317/7154/329#7831 The letter is at the bottom
Letter in BMJ re: pcos. 
