§ Mr. WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the total cost of the drug bill for the family practitioners service for the years 1978 to 1988 and the amount deducted from chemists' remuneration in respect of discounts for the same period.
§ Mr. MellorThe basic cost of prescriptions dispensed by pharmacies in England and Wales and the amounts deducted in respect of discounts for the years 1978 to 1988 were:
Year Basic cost Deduction for discounts £ million £ million 1978 557.0 15.0 1979 636.8 18.3 1980 769.9 12.0 1981 896.4 33.9 1982 1,0489 57.2 1983 1,176.2 66.1 1984 1,266.7 109.0 11985 343.2 21.4 1985–86 1,340.8 82.8 1986–87 1,505.7 117.2 1987–88 1,703.3 134.0 1988–89 1,885.0 154.7 1 1 January 1985 to 31 March 1985