§ Mr. MacleanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what is the average cost per week of prescriptions for sufferers from diabetes; [73317]
(2) for what reasons diabetes sufferers are eligible for free prescriptions. [73315]
§ Mr. DenhamIn 1997 the net ingredient cost of drugs used in the treatment of diabetes and dispensed in the community in England was £142.6 million, an average of £2.7 million a week. The net ingredient cost is the basic cost of a drug and does not take account of discounts, dispensing costs, fees or any prescription charge income.
Diabetes sufferers are eligible for free prescriptions, except where treatment is by diet alone, as diabetes was identified in 1968 as one of a number of readily identifiable, permanent, life long conditions requiring regular or extensive medication.