§ 41. Mr. Kenneth Lewisasked the Minister of Health whether he will institute a review of drug stocks in hospital pharmacy departments to determine the amount of dead stock being carried and assess the amount of over-purchasing involved.
§ Mr. SnowNo, Sir. It is the responsibility of hospital authorities to conduct regular reviews of stocks.
§ Mr. LewisIs the Minister aware that there are, with the changes in doctors and consultants in hospitals, many of whom have their favourite drugs, hospitals which are carrying large stores of drugs not being used, and that this is expensive?
§ Mr. SnowIn 1961 instructions were given to the authorities to concentrate surplus stocks centrally with a view to more economic distribution where they would be needed. If the hon. Gentleman has any specific case in mind perhaps he would write to me about it.