Dr. Morganasked the President of the Board of Trade the present prices of the differently dosed ampoules of neo-arsphen-amine; how the war prices compare with prices in pre-war years; whether these prices, as quoted by the manufacturing firm are net, without discount, in spite of the fact that there is no Purchase Tax on this drug; and why the price of this drug for venereal disease treatment is cheaper in British Colonies and other parts of the world than in Great Britain?
§ Mr. PeatI have been asked to reply. The present prices which would be charged by retail pharmacists when a prescription is being dispensed for the differently dosed ampoules of neo-arsphenamine are as follow:
Grammes. s. d. 0.05 … … … 1 0 0.1 … … … 1 0 0.15 … … … 1 6 0.3 … … … 3 0 0.45 … … … 4 0 0.6 … … … 5 0 0.75 … … … 6 0 0.9 … … … 7 0 These prices do not exceed pre-war prices. The manufacturers allow the retailers a trade discount. Lower prices are charged to hospitals and clinics and under Government contracts. I am informed that it has been the custom of the trade to reduce prices for the Colonial market in order to compete with drugs of foreign origin.