§ Mr. AshleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health who negotiates prices charged to the National Health Service for supplies; and what monitoring there is to ensure reasonable charges and that the prices are not higher than those used in the private sector.
§ Mr. FreemanNegotiation of prices charged for NHS supplies is a matter for individual health authorities acting under the strategic guidance of the NHS procurement directorate. The level of contracting depends on many strategic, technical and commercial factors that need to be considered by the directorate working closely with health authorities. The procurement directorate is charged by the NHS Management Executive to ensure that all health authorities operate an effective and efficient procurement service.