HC Deb 13 June 1955 vol 542 cc247-8
9. Mr. Blenkinsop

asked the Minister of Health what further progress has been made in his discussions with the pharmaceutical industry regarding the cost of drugs and appliances prescribed through the National Health Service.

Mr. Iain Macleod

The manufacturers both of standard drugs and of the main types of surgical dressings have been informed that the results of the cost investigations do not suggest there is any call at present for intervention by the Government, subject in the latter case to certain assurances. As regards the prices of proprietary preparations, since the special provisional reductions which were mentioned in reply to the hon. Member for Reigate (Mr. Vaughan-Morgan) on 31st January, discussions have been continuing with the industry on the general principles to be followed. Basic drugs, which cannot be dealt with separately, are still under investigation, and meantime the firms themselves have continued to reduce the prices of some important drugs.

Mr. Blenkinsop

Can the Minister give any further information about any voluntary reductions of the kind to which he refers and also make any suggestion when these discussions are likely to come to an end?

Mr. Macleod

With regard to the first point, I have a list here, but if the hon. Member will be good enough to put down a Written Question the information can be circulated in HANSARD. On the second point, I do not particularly envisage this process necessarily coming to an end. It seems to me that a continuing pressure should be kept up over a long period of time.

Mr. Blenkinsop

Is the Minister satisfied that we shall be able to keep some control over costs which is effective and also reasonable, bearing in mind the problems of the industry?

Mr. Macleod

Yes, I think so. As the hon. Member knows, there are very considerable problems which have to be reconciled with our need for economy.