§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the annual expenditure by the National Health Service on psychotropic drugs; and how many patients per year are prescribed such drugs.
§ Mr. NewtonInformation is not available on the number of patients prescribed psychotropic drugs. The table shows the number and net ingredient cost of prescriptions in England in 1986 for hypnotics, sedatives and tranquillisers, and anti-depressants:
Number of prescriptions (millions) Net ingredient cost (£ million) Hypnotics 13.2 20.0 Sedatives and tranquillisers 11.2 14.4 Anti-depressants 6.6 26.2 Anti-depressant and sedative-tranquilliser combinations 0.5 1.3 Total 31.6 61.9