HC Deb 11 July 1997 vol 297 cc636-7W
Ms Hodge

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average net ingredient cost per course of treatment was in each of the last 10 years for the British National Formulary Chapters in respect of infections, immunological products and vaccines, skin, the gastro-intestinal system and the respiratory system. [7232]

Mr. Milburn

The information requested is shown in the table.

The average net ingredient cost per prescription dispensed in selected British National Formulary chapters, 1986–1996
England
British National Formulary chapter 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996
Average net ingredient cost per prescription (£)
Gastro-intestinal system 6.38 7.09 7.81 8.60 9.59 10.37 11.39 12.35 13.05 13.94 14.65
Respiratory system 4.16 4.49 5.31 5.92 6.50 7.09 7.98 8.57 9.33 9.78 10.42
Infections 3.09 3.41 3.57 3.65 3.85 4.01 4.26 4.20 4.47 4.47 4.43
Skin 2.55 2.76 3.02 3.27 3.59 3.84 4.24 4.56 4.65 4.73 4.92
Immunological products and vaccines 4.96 6.18 6.41 6.32 6.62 3.67 4.42 5.75 6.99 7.86 8.27
Average net ingredient cost per prescription, at 1996 prices (£)
Gastro-intestinal system 10.11 10.95 11.78 12.74 13.80 14.33 14.78 14.85 14.66 14.69 14.65
Respiratory system 6.58 6.94 8.00 8.77 9.36 9.80 10.36 10.31 10.49 10.30 10.42
Infections 4.90 5.26 5.38 5.40 5.54 5.54 5.53 5.05 5.03 4.70 4.43
Skin 4.04 4.26 4.55 4.84 5.16 5.31 5.50 5.48 5.22 4.98 4.92
Immunological products and vaccines 7.85 9.55 9.67 9.37 9.53 5.07 5.73 6.92 7.85 8.28 8.27

Notes:

1. Therapeutic classes are based on the British National Formulary (September 1995).

2. Please note that the data up to 1990 are not consistent with data from 1991 onwards. Figures up to 1990 are based on fees and on a sample of 1 in 200 prescriptions dispensed by community pharmacists and appliance contractors only. Figures from 1991 are based on items and cover all prescriptions dispensed by community pharmacists, appliance contractors dispensing doctors and prescriptions submitted by prescribing doctors for items personally administered.

3. The net ingredient cost refers to the cost of the drug before discounts and does not include any dispensing costs or fees.

4. Figures at 1996 prices are calculated using the GDP Deflator.