§ Mr. Brightasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the estimated cost to the National Health Service for the treatment of diabetes sufferers in the current financial year.
§ Mrs. CurrieIt is not possible to distinguish all the costs to the National Health Service for the treatment of 563W diabetes. The latest available information shows that the estimated cost of hospital in-patient treatment identified as being for diabetes was some £70 million in England in 1985–86, but this is likely to understate the cost of treating some secondary conditions which are identified under other headings. The cost of hyperglycaemic agents (including insulin), urine testing equipment and reuseable syringes and needles dispensed by community pharmacies under the NHS in England was some £35 million in 1985, the latest year for which figures are available. Separate costings are not available for other major elements in the treatment of diabetes—out-patient consultations and treatment, general practitioner services and drugs provided by hospital pharmacies.