§ 97. Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the number of pharmacists serving National Health Service patients in the area of the Middlesex Executive Council, the total amount of dispensing fees paid last year, and his estimate of the amount for each patient annually on the basis that the total is allocated in the form of a capitation fee for each patient registered.
§ Dr. John DunwoodyIn January, 1970 there were 554 chemist contractors in the area of the Middlesex Executive Council which in 1969 were paid in remuneration £1,414,866 as professional (dispensing) fees and £562,375 as on-cost allowance, a total of £1,977,241; this represents272W about 17s. 8d. per patient on doctors' prescribing lists in Middlesex. These sums exclude the amounts reimbursed to chemists for the wholesale cost of drugs etc. Chemist contractors in neighbouring Executive Council areas may dispense prescriptions for Middlesex patients and patients on doctors' lists in other areas may take their prescriptions to chemist contractors in the Middlesex area.