§ Mr. ToddTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was paid, in 1990 values, to pharmacists for each prescription dispensed in each year since 1990–91. [7268]
§ Jacqui SmithRemuneration paid to pharmacies is intended to cover the generality of the National Health Service pharmaceutical services they provide. The scope of these services is not restricted just to dispensing prescriptions and has changed over time. The total remuneration to be paid in any given year is distributed through a system of fees and allowances, some of which relate directly to the number (and type) of prescriptions dispensed, some of which do not. However, if the total remuneration paid to pharmacies in each year is divided by the number of dispensing fees paid, the result is as set out in the table.
Value of payments made to community pharmacies, in England and Wales, per dispensing fee received—1990–91 to 2000–01 (in 1990–91 prices): £ Year Value in 1990–91 prices 1990–91 1.39 1991–92 1.42 1992–93 1.33 1993–94 1.27 1994–95 1.24 1995–96 1.21 1996–97 1.18 1997–98 1.13 1998–99 1.09 1999–2000 1.08 2000–01 1.05