41. Major Lloydasked the Secretary of State for Scotland why the average cost per prescription dispensed under the National Health Service in Scotland is substantially in excess of the average cost in England and Wales.
Commander GalbraithThe average cost in Scotland is higher mainly for two reasons—that the ingredients cost more and that we have to pay a higher dispensing fee. But the average cost per prescription is not a good measure of the total cost to the National Health Service. A better figure of comparison is the average annual cost per patient, and, on this figure, there is no significant difference between Scotland and England.
42. Major Lloydasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, in future annual reports of the Department of Health, he will provide in Appendix 10, not only the monthly figures of prescriptions dispensed, but also the monthly cost and average cost of prescriptions issued.
Commander GalbraithMy right hon. Friend intends to do so, in so far as the information is available at the time of publication of the report.