§ 32. Mr. Blenkinsopasked the Minister of Health what has been the trend in the cost of prescribing under the National 10 Health Service in January and February, 1957, as compared with previous months.
§ Mr. VosperThe average cost per prescription in January was about 5s. 6½d. This was almost the same as in December, and about 5d. higher than in November. An accurate figure for February is not yet available, but from a sample it is estimated that the average cost was about 1d. more than in January.
§ Mr. BlenkinsopWill not the Minister consider the suggestions which have been made for some form of further independent check upon the value of the new and very expensive drugs, which, as he well knows, are coming on to the market in shoals and are of very doubtful value?
§ Mr. VosperI am prepared to consider almost any proposal. As far as the price of prescriptions is concerned, I have not yet received the detailed analysis of the prescriptions for December. That will be rather important.
§ Mr. NicholsonIs my right hon. Friend aware that the medical training of doctors includes absolutely nothing to make them cost-conscious? Does he not think that efforts should be made to inculcate in the medical profession some consideration of the cost of prescriptions?
§ Mr. VosperYes. That is why my predecessor, my right hon. Friend the Member for Thirsk and Malton (Mr. Turton), decided to set up a committee to examine the whole question of prescribing. That committee will, I hope, start work very shortly.