HC Deb 11 July 1972 vol 840 cc281-2W
48. Mr. Pavitt

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will establish a unit price with the manufacturers of valium and all other tranquillisers used in the National Health Service to ensure that the same rate of cost applies to tablets of 10 milligrams as that paid for tablets of two and five milligrams.

Mr. Alison

No. Several factors affect the price of one strength of a drug compared with other strengths. I realise that there are special circumstances at present in the case of valium, but the price of that drug is already the subject of a reference to the Monopolies Commission and I assume that any unusual pattern in the price will be amongst the matters considered by the commission.

Mr. Pavitt

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will advise hospital dispensers and hospital supplies officers that whereas two 5 milligram tablets of valium cost l.54p one tablet of 10 milligrams is priced at 1.80p.

Mr. Alison

No. Under a contract recently placed for the supply of valium to hospitals in the National Health Service the price of two 5 milligram tablets is 0.03p more than the price of one 10 milligram tablet, based on the price for a pack of 100 tablets.