§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the cost to the National Health Service of 25 tablets (250 13W milligrammes) of oxytetracycline and of terramycin, respectively; if these two drugs are in essence one and the same; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Crossman5s. 6d. for oxytetra cycline B.P. and 21s. 2d. for terramycin. Although the products contain similar amounts of the same active ingredient, they are not necessarily exact therapeutic equivalents. I have drawn the attention of doctors to the difference in price by means of circulars and visits by my regional medical officers, and the number of prescriptions for terramycin had fallen to 8 per cent. of the total for all the oxytetracyclines by December 1968.