HC Deb 16 April 1999 vol 329 c377W
Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total cost to the NHS in each of the past five years of methadone prescriptions; and from which companies they were purchased. [80600]

Mr. Denham

[holding answer 15 April 1999]: The net ingredient cost of prescription items dispensed in the community in England from 1993 to 1997 for methadone hydrochloride is shown in the table.

The majority of items for methadone hydrochloride are prescribed generically. Details of the manufacturers of drugs dispensed against these prescriptions are not known. Items prescribed by their branded names include products manufactured by Glaxo Wellcome, Martindale, Rosemont and Link.

Net ingredient cost (NIC) of prescription items dispensed in the community for methadone hydrochloride, 1993–1997
Year £000
England
1993 6,803.6
1994 7,993.9
1995 9,086.9
1996 9,912.1
1997 10,668.2

Notes

  1. 1. The figures cover all prescriptions dispensed by community pharmacists, appliance contractors and dispensing doctors and prescriptions submitted by prescribing doctors for items personally administered.
  2. 2. The net ingredient cost (NIC) is the basic cost of a drug and does not take account of discounts, dispensing costs, fees or prescription charge income.
  3. 3. Methadone hydrochloride is contained in the following British National Formulary sections: BNF 3.9.1—Cough suppressants; BNF 4.7.2—Opioid analgesics; BNF 4.10—Drugs used in substance dependence.

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