§ Mr. Nicholas WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the cost to the NHS of the medication for the treatment of asthma in(a) 1997 and (b) 1998. [73925]
§ Mr. HuttonIn 1997, the net ingredient cost of drugs used in the treatment of asthma and dispensed in the community in England was £466.2 million. Information for 1998 is not yet available. Some of the drugs may be used for other conditions and it is not possible to split the cost between drugs used to treat asthma and those used to treat other conditions. The net ingredient cost is the basic cost of a drug and does not take account of discounts, dispensing costs, fees or prescription charges income.