§ Mr. Gerald HowarthTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total cost of running drug dependency units and treatments for drug addicts broken down between(a) in-patient and (b) out-patient care, separately identifying the costs for (i) methadone prescribing and (ii) prevention schemes in (1) 1970, (2) 1980, (3) 1990 and (4) 1999. [126747]
§ Yvette CooperThe requested information is not collected centrally. Data are available for methadone used in the treatment of substance dependence, covering prescriptions dispensed in the community only. The table shows the number of prescriptions, the actual net ingredient cost, and the net ingredient cost at 1999 prices38W for the period 1980 to 1998, and the first nine months of 1999. Data before 1980 are not available and full data for 1999 are not yet available.
The regional drug misuse databases are the main source of information on persons presenting to drug treatment services with a drug misuse problem. Copies of the six-monthly statistical bulletin are available in the statistics resource unit of the Library.
Number and net ingredient cost of prescriptions dispensed in the community for methadone hydrochloride used in substance dependence, 1980–1998, and 1999 (January to September), England Prescriptions (Thousand) Net ingredient cost (£000) Net ingredient cost at 1999 prices (£000) 1980 17.3 13.2 31.7 1981 25.9 28.5 62.5 1982 24.6 23.3 47.8 1983 35.4 40.7 79.8 1984 38.5 50.5 94.0 1985 65.3 117.7 208.3 1986 112.0 192.5 330.4 1987 171.7 363.0 591.3 1988 196.5 337.3 514.6 1989 249.8 471.1 670.7 1990 341.2 800.7 1,057.3 1991 403.3 1,912.3 2,377.6 1992 495.0 2,659.3 3,200.5 1993 598.2 3,626.2 4,251.0 1994 682.4 4,444.7 5,137.0 1995 787.0 5,328.0 5,984.9 1996 891.0 6,117.8 6,657.7 1997 981.7 6,852.3 7,254.6 1998 1,022.8 7,067.7 7,244.4 19991 1,081.7 7,360.1 7,360.1 1January to September Notes:
1. The methadone hydrochloride drugs used in substance dependence are shown in the British National Formulary (BNF) section 4.10, "Drugs used in substance dependence".
2. The data up to 1990 are not strictly consistent with data from 1991 onwards. Figures for 1980–90 are based on fees and on a sample of 1 in 200 prescriptions dispensed by community pharmacists and appliance contractors only. Figures for 1991 onwards are based on items and cover all prescriptions dispensed by community pharmacists, appliance contractors, dispensing doctors and prescriptions submitted by prescribing doctors for items personally administered. The data do not cover drugs dispensed in hospital or private prescriptions.
3. The net ingredient cost (NIC) is the basic cost of a drug and does not take account of discounts, dispensing costs, fees or prescription charges income.
4. Figures at 1999 prices are calculated using the GDP Deflator.