§ Lord Balnielasked the Minister of Health how many prescriptions were issued under the National Health Service 262W during each of the months January, February, March and April 1965; and what percentage increase or decrease the figures show over the comparable figures for 1964.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonThe number of prescriptions dispensed by chemists in England and Wales during April, 1965, is not yet known. The information for the months of January, February and March, 1965, compared with the same months of 1964, is as follows:
Year Numbers of prescriptions dispensed in January February March 1964 19,830,259 18,396,022 17,678,895 1965 18,579,479 20,775,870 23,735,830 Difference compared with 1964 Decrease Increase Increase per cent. per cent. per cent. (a) Unadjusted 6.3 12.9 34.3 (b) Related to the number of working days in the month 2.7 17.6 19.3
§ Lord Balnielasked the Minister of Health what was the cost of prescriptions made available under the National Health Service during each of the months January, February, March and April 1965.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonThe cost of prescriptions dispensed by chemist contractors in England and Wales for the months January, February and March, 1965 was, respectively, £9,599,936, £10,344,473 and £11,778,871. The information for April 1965 is not yet available.
§ Lord Balnielasked the Minister of Health what is his present estimate of the additional cost this year to the National Health Service as a result of the abolition of the prescription charge.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonHeavier prescribing than had been expected in the months immediately following removal of the charge was influenced to an unknown extent by the incidence of sickness. Experience is still insufficient to revise the estimate I gave the noble Lord in reply to his Question on 1st April.