§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the price for tetracycline paid by the National Health Service when bought by tender as services to the Crown; and what is the price paid subsequently when hospitals purchased direct from the patent holders or their licensees in each of the years 1965. 1966 and 1967.
§ Mr. CrossmanIt is contrary to Government policy to disclose contract prices. However, since the decision in 1966 that hospital authorities should make their own local purchasing arrangements for tetracycline, there has been keen competition among the licensed suppliers and prices have dropped considerably.