HC Deb 20 December 1965 vol 722 cc1683-4
54 and 55. Dr. Wyndham Davies

asked the Minister of Health (1) what basic price his Department is paying for Econocil-Vk brand of penicillin V. potassium BP, for which some pharmacists receive a bonus of 500 tablets free for every 1,000 ordered from a firm whose name has been supplied to him;

(2) what is his pricing policy for bonus offers to pharmacists supplying the National Health Service of Econocil-Vk, Butazone, Oxymycin and Furan supplied by a firm whose name has been given to him.

Mr. K. Robinson

The price varies according to the size of the pack. I will circulate details in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

I have not found it practicable to take separate account of individual bonus offers but their collective effect is taken into account in reimbursing to chemists the costs of drugs, and I am keeping the matter under review.

Dr. Davies

I presume the Minister is aware that this scheme could be used to by-pass his own scheme to reduce proprietary preparations given by pharmacists if they are unscrupulous pharmacists. I hope he will do all he can to discourage this type of thing.

Mr. Speaker

Order. That is not a question.

Following is the information:

Basic prices for Econocil VK brand of penicillin V potassium B.P., according to the size of pack from which the prescription is dispensed:

s. d.
100 capsules or tablets 125 mg 18 3
500 capsules or tablets 125 mg 90 0
1,000 capsules or tablets 125 mg 178 0
2 fluid ozs. syrup 125 mg per 5 cc 3 11
100 capsules or tablets 250 mg 36 3
500 capsules or tablets 250 mg 180 0
1,000 capsules or tablets 250 mg 358 0