§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many suppliers of drugs for the National Health Service participated in the voluntary price regulation scheme in the years ended 1970 and 1971; how many price reductions have been made; and how many negotiations took place.
§ Mr. AlisonI cannot conveniently reply in terms of calendar years but 101 companies provided returns for their accounting years ended in 1970. Negotiations with 20 of these companies led to price reductions by four companies. Two negotiations are still open.
It is too early to give final figures for the companies' accounting years ended during 1971. Returns have been received or are expected from 96 companies and 85W negotiations have been started with three of these.