§ Dr. HampsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he will publish the total remuneration paid to community pharmacists in England and Wales for the years 1988, 1989 and 1990; and indicate in each case the proportion attributable to the costs of providing pharmaceutical services and the proportion attributable to profit.
§ Mrs. Virginia Bottomley1988–89 was the final year of the cost-plus contract which allocated a specific amount of remuneration to profit and to the costs of providing pharmaceutical services.
The total amount paid in 1988–89 was £468.2 million of which £20.6 million was attributed to profit. A sum of £20.9 million was also paid, which was arrears owing from 1987–88.
For 1989–90 £496.5 million was paid in fees and £63.4 million in lump sums in respect of earlier periods.
For 1990–91 £543.1 million was paid in fees and a lump sum of £10.1 million for 1990–91 will be paid in 1991–92.