HC Deb 23 June 1958 vol 590 cc16-7
37. Mr. Blenkinsop

asked the Minister of Health what was the average cost per prescription prescribed under the National Health Service as at the latest available date.

Mr. Walker-Smith

Approximately 6s. 4¾d. in April, 1958.

Mr. Blenkinsop

May I take it that this represents the advantage of a Conservative Government to the drug manufacturers in the steadily rising prices of these drugs? Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that the last figure we had, at the end of last year, was 4d. per prescription less? Is he satisfied that the arrangements made with the drug manufacturers are working properly?

Mr. Walker-Smith

The answer to the first part of the supplementary question is, "No, Sir". The answer to the second part is, "I think so, Sir"; but I will continue to keep it under review.

Mr. Blenkinsop

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman consider—as I am sure he will—the recommendations of the Hinchliffe Committee, whose Report has just been published, that prices should always be included in the material sent out by drug manufacturers to doctors?

Mr. Walker-Smith

I am already giving active consideration to the interim Report of that Committee, and I am in consultation about it.

Sir G. Nicholson

May I ask the Minister a question I have asked on previous occasions? What steps is he taking to see that doctors and medical students are made more cost-conscious?

Mr. Walker-Smith

Perhaps my hon. Friend has not yet had an opportunity of reading this interim Report, which has been published today. He will find it of great interest in view of the interest he has shown in these matters.

Mr. Kershaw

Is my right hon. and learned Friend able to say whether the increased cost per prescription is due to more expensive drugs which are being given by doctors, or to greater quantities of cheaper drugs? Can he say to which it is due?

Mr. Walker-Smith

An examination of samples in the last year showed that expensive corticosteroid preparations which became available in that year and in 1956 were being increasingly prescribed. I should think it likely that this trend towards expensive preparations has continued, but it is not yet possible to say with regard to 1958.