§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average cost of NHS prescriptions has been in each of the last six years; and how much of this was recouped by prescription charges. [144143]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonThe available information is shown in the tables.
Number of prescription items. Net Ingredient Cost (NIC), and average NIC per item of all drugs dispensed in the community in England, 1997–98 to 2002–03 Number of prescription items (millions) Net Ingredient Cost(£ millions) Average NIC per item (£) 1997–98 504.57 4,464.86 8.85 1998–99 516.34 4,799.46 9.30 1999–2000 534.12 5,435.18 10.18 2000–01 561.37 5,651.31 10.07 2001–02 591.87 6,281.07 10.61 2002–03 624.38 7,018.56 11.24
Income from prescription charges, England. 1997–98 to 2002–03 £ million 1997–98 320.9 1998–99 341.3 1999–2000 366.7 2000–01 388.7 2001–02 407.5 2002–03 423.0
§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) free and (b) chargeable NHS prescriptions have been given in each of the last six years. [144150]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonThe available information is shown in the tables.
Number of prescription items of all drugs dispensed in the community in England, 1997–98 to 2002–03 (million) Community pharmacists and appliance contractors only Total charged Total exempt Total 1997–98 67 392 458.49 1998–99 68 402 469.80 1999–2000 73 413 485.84 2000–01 76 434 509.40 2001–02 79 459 537.64 2002–03 81 486 567.42
All dispensed items (community pharmacists and appliance contractors, and dispensing doctors) (million) Total charged Total exempt Total 2001—02 86 506 591.87 2002—03 89 535 624.38 Notes:
1. Total charged includes 'charge at point of dispensing' and 'prepayment certificates'.
2. Total exempt includes 'exempt and NHS Low Income Scheme', "no charge contraceptives" and "personally administered" drugs.
207W
§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what protocols written by his Department govern incentives received by(a) general practitioners and (b) other prescribing staff to prescribe certain prescriptions; how compliance with these protocols is monitored; and if he will make a statement. [144939]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonPrimary care trusts (PCTs) in England may run prescribing incentive schemes to encourage the quality and cost-effectiveness of prescribing in general practice. Incentive payments generated through such schemes should be used for the benefit of the patients.
We expect PCTs to develop protocols to suit local circumstances and to monitor their effectiveness.