HL Deb 05 August 1965 vol 269 cc399-402

2.45 p.m.

LORD SEGAL

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

ENGLAND AND WALES
ANALYSIS BY TYPE OF PREPARATION (a): FEBRUARY-APRIL
Estimated number of prescriptions Estimated total net ingredient cost
Millions Per cent. £ Million Per cent.
1964 1965 1964 1965 1964 1965 1964 1965
Total (b) 53.98 64.73 100.0 100.0 17.89 22.10 100.0 100.0
Non-proprietary preparations 14.60 16.52 27.1 25.5 1.07 1.34 6.0 6.1
Proprietary preparations (c) 37.88 46.19 70.2 71.4 16.17 19.82 90.4 89.7
Dressings, appliances, trusses and hosiery 1.50 2.01 2.8 3.1 0.64 0.94 3.6 4.3
(a) Except for the overall total number of prescriptions, all numbers shown are estimates based on a sample of 1 in 200 approximately, of the prescriptions dispensed in chemist contractors' establishments (including drug stores) and by appliance contractors.
(b) Figures may not add up to totals shown because of rounding.
(c) Includes prescriptions for items not specified by proprietary name available only in proprietary form.
LORD SEGAL

My Lords, while thanking my noble friend for his reply, I would ask him this question. Would he not agree that the early figures are liable to be somewhat inconclusive, and that it would be advisable to await publication of later figures before any definite conclusions can be drawn about changes in doctors' prescribing habits?

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government when the first analysis of prescription costs since the abolition of prescription charges can be made available, particularly with reference to proprietary and and non-proprietary medicines, and to regional variations in prescribing trends.]

THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR COMMONWEALTH RELATIONS AND FOR THE COLONIES (LORD TAYLOR)

My Lords, an analysis of the costs of proprietary and non-proprietary medicines has been made for the period from February to April, 1965, and this shows that proprietary preparations represented 90 per cent. of the cost of the pharmaceutical services in this period. There has, therefore, been no significant change in this respect from the same period in 1964. I will circulate a table giving the full figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT. As regards regional variations in prescribing trends, a detailed therapeutic group analysis of regional prescribing is made annually. The first analysis since the abolition of charges will be made for the year 1965, and will therefore not be available before the spring of 1966.

Following is the table referred to:

LORD TAYLOR

My Lords, what my noble friend says may be true, but I did point out that, in the particular respect about which he asked there appeared to have been no change.

BARONESS SUMMERSKILL

My Lords, since, both in 1964 and in the three months, February to April, this year, 90 per cent. of the prescriptions have been for proprietary drugs, and the average cost of each prescription has now risen to a little over 10s., may I ask my noble friend when the Government are going to cry "Halt" and demand that the national formularies shall be used, where they provide an appropriate alternative?

LORD TAYLOR

My Lords, the use of national formulary preparations is appropriate in about 5 per cent. of proprietary preparations. The Committee headed by my noble friend Lord Cohen of Birkenhead drew up a list of 53 commonly prescribed proprietary preparations for which there were non-proprietary alternatives, and a new list is being prepared by the Standing Joint Committee under Professor Macgregor.

BARONESS SUMMERSKILL

My Lords, I must press my noble friend on this matter. Every time it is raised, year after year, those of us who are deeply concerned with it are put off by being told that another Committee is looking into it. Could my noble friend tell me just how many Committees have looked into the drug industry?

LORD TAYLOR

My Lords, there is a Royal Commission looking into it now, which, in my opinion, is the most effective way of all.

BARONESS SUMMERSKILL

No—because it takes five years.

LORD NEWTON

My Lords, the noble Lord based his Answer on the period February to April of this year. Can he say, comparing that with the same period last year, what difference there has been in the total number of prescriptions given?

LORD TAYLOR

I can, my Lords, but it may take me a moment to find the appropriate record. I think I had better say that the information is included in the table that we shall be circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

LORD NEWTON

My Lords, can the noble Lord say whether there has been an increase or decrease, or whether the total is about the same?

LORD TAYLOR

My Lords, there has been an increase.

LORD HAWKE

My Lords, are Her Majesty's Government aware that nothing would do more to restore confidence in the pound abroad than the reimposition of prescription charges, the abolition of which appeared to our creditors abroad as an act of irresponsibility?

LORD TAYLOR

My Lords, I cannot agree with either of the suppositions of the noble Lord.