HC Deb 18 December 1952 vol 509 cc1618-9
38. Dr. Stross

asked the Minister of Health the number of prescription forms issued in September, 1951, and 1952; the number of prescriptions per form; and the average cost per form for the two periods.

The Minister of Health (Mr. Iain Macleod)

The number of forms issued in England and Wales in September, 1951, was 10,278,213; the average number of prescriptions per form was 1.59 and the average cost per form was 6s. 1.8d.

The estimated number of forms issued in September, 1952, based on numbers declared by chemists was 9,511,000, and the average number of prescriptions per form 1.72.

The average cost per form is not yet known.

Dr. Stross

Would the Minister agree that from his answer it appears that the deterrent effect of the charge is likely to give greater financial recompense than the 1s. which is charged per form and that, when he obtains the necessary information, he may well find that the increase in the cost of a prescription cancels some of the financial gain which he is hoping to make? If that should be the case, and he is satisfied that it is the case, will he review the whole matter?

Mr. Macleod

The hon. Gentleman has fallen into the fallacy of comparing prescription forms, which are only pieces of paper. If he makes the necessary calculation, which he can do from my answer, to compare the prescriptions, he will find that the deterrent effect for this month was less than a quarter of 1 per cent.

Mr. Yates

Is the Minister aware that some doctors absolutely refuse to put more than one item on a form—and I have evidence of this—in which case the patient has to pay 2s. or in some cases 3s. for the two or three items which some doctors place on one form? Is that fair? Will he not do something about it?

Mr. Macleod

I am always ready to look into specific instances, but I cannot take up a general allegation of that sort.