§ Mr. Ernie Rossasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his estimate of the gross profit paid to pharmacy contractors in Scotland for National Health Service dispensing in each of the past five years.
§ Mr. FairgrieveThe estimated gross profit paid to chemist contractors and appliance suppliers in Scotland for National Health Service dispensing in each of the past five years is given in the following table. Gross profit has been defined as the difference between total payments and the costs of drugs, appliances, containers and oxygen equipment rental.
£ million 1976 13.7 1977 15.2 1978 16.9 1979 17.1 1980 23.6