§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans he has to issue free needles to diabetics; [2180]
(2) what is the cost to the NHS of providing a free needle for use by a diabetic; [2176]
(3) what criteria are used to determine those diabetics who are entitled to receive free needles. [2177]
§ Mr. MalonePeople with diabetes mellitis who need to inject insulin can get free national health service prescriptions from their general practitioner. NHS prescriptions can currently be written both for glass insulin syringes and for the separate needles which fit them; also for disposable insulin syringes with attached needles. The cost to the NHS of a needle for the glass syringe which is intended for multiple use is 28p, and of a needle intended for single use is 2.2p. The cost of a disposable syringe with attached needle varies between 11.5p and 11.9p, depending on the size of the syringe.
We are considering the case for making the needles to fit insulin injection pens available on GP prescription under the NHS.
§ Mr. CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many diabetics there are(a) nationally and (b) in the west midlands; how many there were in each year since 1990; how many require injections of insulin; and if he will express the figures to show the percentage change on the previous year; [2173]
(2) what was the cost to the NHS of treating diabetic patients in each year since 1990 (a) nationally and (b) in the west midlands; and if he will express the figures (i) in real terms and (ii) to show the percentage change on the previous year; [2174]
(3) what percentage of diabetics received free needles in each year since 1990 (a) nationally and (b) in the west midlands; and if he will express the figures to show the percentage change on the previous year. [2175]
§ Mr. MaloneThis information is not available centrally.