HC Deb 03 June 1957 vol 571 cc879-81
27. Major Beamish

asked the Minister of Health to what causes he ascribes the rise of about 6d. in the cost of individual prescriptions under the National Health Service since the Is. charge was levied on each prescription.

Mr. Vosper

Examination of a sample of the prescriptions dispensed in December, 1956, showed that the increase of about 5d. was probably almost entirely due to the ordering of larger quantities.

Major Beamish

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, in order to detract from the Government's handling of this problem and at the same time to attack the pharmaceutical industry, it has been suggested that the main reason is an increased use of proprietary medicines? Am I to assume from my right hon. Friend's reply that that is not true?

Mr. Vosper

There was no increase in the proportion of proprietaries for December, 1956, the first month of the new charge.

Dr. Summerskill

Is the Minister aware that what has happened is precisely what was said would happen by hon. Members on this side of the House during the debate on the subject, that if this increase was made the doctors would inevitably over-prescribe in order to help the poorest patient?

Mr. Vosper

In fact, my right hon. Friend the Member for Thirsk and Malton (Mr. Turton), when he was Minister, said that one of the ways to avoid hardship would be to prescribe larger quantities for those who suffered from chronic illness. That is what has happened, and I believe that is why the cases of hardship are few in number.

35. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Minister of Health if he has now reviewed the effects of increased prescription charges; and what information he has in respect of the decrease in the number of prescriptions and their cost in respect of retirement pensioners and of other patients.

Mr. Vosper

Examination of a sample of prescriptions dispensed in December has shown that the increase in average cost of about 5d. was probably due almost entirely to doctors prescribing larger quantities. The trend of costs since December suggests that this has continued. The number of prescriptions has also been much lower than a year ago, but this must be due partly to the low incidence of sickness. I regret that I have no separate information relating to prescriptions for retirement pensioners.

Mr. Sorensen

Could the Minister indicate to what extent the anticipation of these increases has been fulfilled financially.?

Mr. Vosper

So far as I can gather at present, the anticipated saving and the actual saving will be about the same.

Mr. Blenkinsop

Does not the Minister recognise the very real danger of waste involved in prescribing larger quantities, which he himself is encouraging?

Mr. Vosper

I cannot accept that, which suggests that the general practitioner is not competent to exercise discretion. The ordering of larger quantities is not wasteful if there is a continuing need. It does help people with chronic or continuing illness. That, I believe, is what is happening at the moment.

Dr. Summerskill

Would the right hon. Gentleman say it is an overstatement to say that most people have in their bathroom cupboards unused tablets, lotions and ointments which have cost the country a great amount of money?

Mr. Vosper

I have seen allegations to that effect, but I have no evidence that it is true.