§ 62. Mr. Wadeasked the Minister of Health what proportion of £876 million, being the total cost in the current financial year of the National Health Service and the health departments, is attributable to the cost of drugs; by what percentage the cost of drugs has risen in comparison with the corresponding previous financial year; and what percentage of the cost of drugs used under the National Health Service is attributable to the advertising of such drugs.
§ Mr. Powell:The gross cost of the pharmaceutical services is about 10½ per cent. of the estimated total of £867 million. It is about 9 per cent. more than in 1959–60. As regards the last part of the Question, I have no means of estimating this.
§ 65. Mr. K. Robinsonasked the Minister of Health whether the detailed negotiations arising out of the new Voluntary Price Regulation Agreement are yet completed; and what annual savings in the expenditure on drugs for the National Health Service he expects will result therefrom.
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§ Mr. Powell:The negotiations will be a continuing process. It is too early to assess the first instalment of resultant savings.
§ Mr. J. Hyndasked the Minister of Health what is the present cost of medicines provided under the National Health Service; what was the cost in 1951; and how much of the increase is estimated as due to increased prices of medicines.
§ Mr. Powell:The gross cost of the pharmaceutical services in Great Britain is about £92 million in the current year, compared with about £50¾ million in 1951–52. Prices of individual drugs have not generally increased, but many expensive drugs are now prescribed which were not available in 1951–52.