HC Deb 05 February 2004 vol 417 c1066W
Mrs. Calton

To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 13 January 2004,Official Report, columns 708–09W, what assessment he has made of the difference in costs between GM and animal insulins. [152391]

Ms Rosie Winterton

The cost of animal and genetically modified (GM) insulins varies between different manufacturers and presentations. The national health service list price of animal insulins is between £0.66/ml and £1.85/ml, and GM insulins, between £1.05/ml and £2.60/ml. Although the prices of individual insulins vary, the overall cost of medicines to the NHS is controlled by the Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme which limits the profits companies are allowed to make through their trade with the NHS.