MARQUESS of TULLIBARDINEasked whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that a per capita payment for the supply of drugs will deprive insured persons of many remedial agents, and whether, in the interests of insured persons, the Commissioners will frame a scale of prices based on the cost or market price of the commodity; and whether, in that event, insured persons would be permitted to obtain their supplies from any registered chemist accepting such a scale?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEThe supply of drugs is, under the Bill, a matter for the approved societies and the local health committees, who need not adopt a per capita system. The Insurance Commissioners are not specially empowered to interfere, except in so far as they must, as a condition of approving any society, satisfy themselves that the society is providing the benefits prescribed by the Bill.
MARQUESS of TULLIBARDINEasked whether, under the present proposals of the National Insurance Bill, the supply of medicines and drugs may be under the control of the friendly societies; and, if so, whether, in view of the fact that such an arrangement will have a deleterious effect upon the trade of those who have gone to expense and trouble in qualifying under 20 the Pharmacy Acts, the interests of such people will be safeguarded by stipulating that the supply of medicines and drugs must be carried out by qualified chemists under arrangements direct with the Insurance Commissioners?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEAs I stated in reply to the Noble Lord, the Member for the Newton Division, on 29th May, the approved societies and local health committees retain under the Bill precisely the same freedom as friendly societies at present have in regard to the supply of drugs. It is, of course, desirable that these bodies should employ qualified chemists for the purpose, and I have no doubt the interests of the chemists will be most favourably affected by the operation of the Bill.