§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many companies supplying National Health Service medicines under non-proprietary names are exempt from the Voluntary Price Regulation Scheme; and if he will list them in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. AlisonCompanies supplying medicines to the National Health Service under non-proprietary names only are exempt from the Voluntary Price Regulation Scheme unless their total annual sales to wholesalers, pharmacists and hospitals in the United Kingdom exceed £100,000. There are many companies trading on a smaller scale, and, since the smallest of these are not necessarily known to my Department, a comprehensive list is not available. Companies have supplied the necessary financial information in confidence, and I could not properly publish the names of those whose sales fell within particular limits.