HC Deb 31 January 2001 vol 362 cc214-5W
Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the level of change in the price of drugs prescribed genetically by the NHS was during 2000; if he will list the 10 drugs which have shown the highest rate of increase and what that rate has been in each case. [146453]

Mr. Denham

The prices paid by the National Health Service for the main medicines prescribed and available generically fell by around 30 per cent. overall in 2000, with most of the falls occurring in anticipation of and in response to the introduction of our maximum price scheme for generics in July 2000. This represents an estimated saving to the National Health Service in 2000 of some £170–£180 million compared to prices in January 2000.

The table lists the 10 presentations of the main medicines prescribed and available generically which recorded the highest price increases in 2000. The cost of the increases is taken into account in the estimated savings figure for 2000 and had a marginal effect on it.

Percentage
Name of presentation Increase in price
Digoxin—Tab 62.5mcg (28-pack) 73
Loperamide HCl—Cap 2mg (30-pack) 46
Aspirin—Tab E/300mg (100-pack) 40
Co-Codamol Eff—Tab 8mg/500mg (100-pack) 39
Digoxin—Tab 125mcg (28-pack) 29
Digoxin—Tab 250mcg (28-pack) 29
Paracetamol—Tab 500mg (100-pack) 22
Lorazepam—Tab 2.5mg (100-pack) 19
Clomipramine HCl—Cap 10mg (28-pack) 15
Dothiepin HCI Cap 25 mg (28-pack) 13

Notes:

The main medicines prescribed and available genetically, on which the price index is based and from which the data on increases is taken, are defined as the generic preparations subject to the Government price control measures introduced in July 2000 and any other preparations in the top 200 generic medicines in terms of net ingredient cost in the first six months of 2000, the latest period for which comprehensive information is available. Together they represent around 90 per cent. of total net ingredient cost of medicines prescribed and available generically. The price index is based on the average unit Drug Tariff price of each preparation weighted according to quantities (includes estimates for months for which actual data are not yet available) dispensed in 2000–01.