§ Chris GraylingTo ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the Answer of 8 January 2003,Official Report, column 277W, on the drugs budget, what the budgets were for this provision. [91592]
§ Mr. HuttonThe answer of 8 January, 2003Official Report, column 277W, gave figures for the total expenditure on drugs for National Health Service trusts in England between 1998–99 and 2001–02.
The Department does not hold information on resources set aside by NHS trusts for the provision of drugs.
The resource amounts set aside from the unified allocation for drugs are essentially a local decision for NHS trusts to agree, in collaboration with primary care trusts, strategic health authorities and pre 2002–03 health authorities. NHS trust drug budgets are held and managed locally.