§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the numbers of items prescribed for the treatment of asthma in each year since 1993–94. [48311]
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§ Mr. MilburnThe number of prescription items dispensed in the community in England used in the treatment of asthma for each of the years from 1993 to 1997 is shown in the table. Information on the use of drugs in hospitals is not available.
The number of prescription items of drugs dispensed in the community used in the treatment of asthma, 1993 to 1997—England Year Prescription items (million) 1993 31.2 1994 32.7 1995 33.9 1996 34.5 1997 35.5 Note:
The data cover all prescriptions dispensed by community pharmacists, appliance contractors and dispensing doctors, and prescriptions submitted by prescribing doctors for items personally administered in England. The information was obtained from the prescription cost analysis system for drugs used in the treatment of asthma contained in British National Formulary sections 3.1 (bronchodilators), 3.2 (corticosteroids) and 3.3 (cromoglycate and related therapy). Some of the drugs may be used for the treatment of other conditions