§ 71. Mr. Skeffingtonasked the Minister of Health why the one firm supplying specialised antibiotics is not subject to cost investigation.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithSome fifteen firms supply specialised antibiotics to the National Health Service; and, of these, two firms are each the sole supplier of 89W one particular drug. For the supply of these two drugs to hospitals the Ministry of Health negotiates running contracts, which do not provide for cost investigation because the firms have so far been unwilling to accept a costing clause and I have no power to compel its inclusion