§ Ms HodgeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the average cost of medicines prescribed per treatment to the NHS in each of the last 10 years. [5075]
§ Mr. MilburnThe available information is shown in the table.
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The average net ingredient cost per prescription for items dispensed, 1986 to 1996 England Year Average net ingredient cost per prescription item (£) Actual At 1996 prices 1986 4.21 6.66 1987 4.55 6.84 1988 4.97 7.00 1989 5.29 6.97 1990 5.68 6.93 1991 (a) 6.08 6.98 1991 (b) 6.20 7.11 1992 6.72 7.40 1993 7.09 7.58 1994 7.47 7.85
The average net ingredient cost per prescription for items dispensed, 1986 to 1996 England Year Average net ingredient cost per prescription item (£) Actual At 1996 prices 1995 7.78 7.97 1996 8.26 8.26 1. 1986 to 1991 (a) data are from the PD1 series of forms and based on fees. They cover prescriptions dispensed by community pharmacists and appliance contractors, dispensing doctors, and personal administration.
2. 1991 (b) to 1996 data are from the new Prescription Cost Analysis [PCA] system based on items and have the same coverage as Note 1 above.
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.