§ Mr. Pavittasked the Minister of Health if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the comparative costs of antipyretics and analgesics commonly prescribed on form E.C. 10 at the prices prevailing on 1st July, 1968; what study his Department have made on the comparative therapeutic value of these drugs; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonThe information is as follows:
Preparation Total National Health Service cost of 50 s. d. Soluble Aspirin Tablets 3 4 Paracetamol Tablets, B.P. 3 8 Compound Codeine Tablets, B.P. 3 9 Solprin Tablets 3 9 Panadol Tablets. 4 10 Codis Tablets 5 1 Panasorb Tablets 6 9 Distalgesic Tablets 7 8 Panadeine Co Tablets 9 7 Ponstan Kapseals 9 8 Paracodol Tablets 10 3 Zactirin Tablets 10 3 D.F.118 Tablets 11 5 Equagesic Tablets 13 3 As not all these drugs have the same pharmacological action only the doctor concerned can decide which is most appropriate for the treatment of a particular patient. I have sent all general 194W practitioners in the National Health Service a copy of these prices so that they can take account of comparative costs when deciding on the most suitable treatment.