§ Mr. Kevin HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of dispensed drugs cost the national health service less than the current prescription charge; and what was the proportion in 1979.
§ Dr. MawhinneyThe prescription charge is not, and never has been, directly related either to the particular item prescribed or to the actual cost to the national health
IVF data 1985–90 Patients Cycles Transfers Pregnancies Live Births Preg rate/transfer Live birth/transfer per cent. per cent. 1985 3,717 4,308 3,032 481 364 15.9 12.0 1986 4,687 7,043 3,798 754 605 19.9 15.9 11987 7,488 8,899 5,592 980 760 17.5 13.6 1988 7,515 10,489 6,553 1,354 956 20.7 14.6 1989 8,790 10,413 7,363 1,599 1,157 21.7 15.7 1990 9,964 11,583 8,195 2,004 1,443 24.4 17.6 1Excluding one large centre with incomplete data
GIFT data 1987–90 Patients Cycles Transfers Pregnancies Live births Preg. rate/cycle Preg. rate/transfer Live Birth rate/transfer per cent. per cent. per cent. 1987 2,288 2,658 — 498 — 18.7 — — 1988 2,840 3,392 2,899 707 — 20.8 24.4 — 1989 2,581 3,079 2,584 586 361 19 22.7 14.0 1990 2,332 2,671 2,179 539 358 20.2 24.7 16.4 Source: Statistical Analysis of the United Kingdom: IVF and GIFT Data 1985–90, Interim Licensing Authority, published June 1992.
220Wservice of dispensing it. It is an amount which successive Governments have thought it reasonable for those who can afford to do so to contribute towards the cost of NHS pharmaceutical services. In 1993–94, an estimated 50 per cent. of prescribed items dispensed by community pharmacists and appliance contractors will cost the NHS less than the prescription charge of £4.25. Data for 1979 are not available.