§ Mr. Corrieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what savings have resulted to the National Health Service in Scotland from the introduction of the selected list scheme of National Health Service drugs; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John MacKayThe information we have from the Scottish Health Service Common Services Agency shows that the selected list scheme saved £8.1 million on the Scottish NHS drugs bill in the first year of the scheme's operation. In each of the therapeutic groups within the scheme the savings were as follows:
£000's Analgesics for mild to moderate pain 2,400 Antacids 465 Benzodiazepine tranquillisers and sedatives 1,995 Cough and cold remedies 2,301 Laxatives 105 Tonics and bitters 35 Vitamins 772 By redirecting the savings achieved towards other forms of patient care this represents a valuable contribution towards the continuing growth of the National Health Service in Scotland.