HC Deb 04 March 1957 vol 566 cc24-6
62. Mr. Janner

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that old-age pensioners have to pay 1s. for prescriptions for lotion lint bandage, which costs only 3d.; that, if they are not in receipt of supplementary pensions from the National Assistance Board, they cannot get a refund of the 1s.; and what steps he will take so that old-age pensioners shall not have to pay for such prescriptions.

The Minister of Health (Mr. Dennis Vosper)

No bandage answering this description is supplied under the Pharmaceutical Service. If a person can buy something prescribed for him for less than 1s., it is open to him to do so. Anyone not receiving an allowance from the National Assistance Board can obtain a refund of the 1s. charge, where made, if he satisfies the Board that, on its standards, he could not pay it without hardship.

Mr. Janner

Is the Minister aware of the fact that such a bandage was in fact sold under a 1s. prescription, and that the chemist said that the individual concerned could get the 1s. back, but when he went to apply he found he could not because he was not in receipt of Public Assistance? Will the right hon. Gentleman go into the matter and see to it that this kind of thing does not happen any more?

Mr. Vosper

Most certainly; but the Question related to a "lotion lint bandage"; if the hon. Gentleman would show me the bandage in question and give me the details, I will certainly investigate it.

Dr. Summerskill

Does the Minister's answer mean that a patient, having received a prescription from the doctor, shall go to the chemist and discuss with the chemist whether the items on the prescription can be obtained at a lower price and, in the event of the chemist saying "Yes", the prescription shall no longer be valid?

Mr. Vosper

I have no doubt that the chemist will advise a patient if an item costs less than 1s. and will charge him accordingly.

67. Mr. Blenkinsop

asked the Minister of Health the average cost per prescription under the National Health Service for the month of December, 1956; and how this compares with the average cost in December, 1955.

Mr. Vosper

Approximately 5s. 6½d., which is about 11d. more than in December, 1955.

Mr. Blenkinsop

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that there has been a very serious further increase in the cost per prescription since the new charges were imposed? Does not that show the very grave danger of the advice to doctors to prescribe larger quantities per prescription?

Mr. Vosper

A great part of this increase occurred before the new prescription charge was introduced, and it was also due in part to the increased chemists' remuneration and the release of new drugs, such as cortisone. Only in part was it due to the new prescription charge. As far as that is concerned, I should like to see the results for February and March before coming to a definite conclusion.

Mr. Nicholson

Is my right hon. Friend's Department taking any steps to see that during the course of their training doctors are made cost-conscious?

Mr. Vosper

Yes, Sir. My right hon. Friend the Member for Thirsk and Malton (Mr. Turton) announced a committee which will go further into that question.

Dr. Summerskill

Does not the Minister agree that the high average cost of prescriptions is related to the high cost of proprietary drugs? What action is he taking in order to keep this particular sum within reasonable limits?

Mr. Vosper

That point hardly arises on this question. It is a matter which both my predecessor and I have under review. I cannot say, on the figures for December, how much of that cost relates to proprietary medicines.