HC Deb 25 July 1972 vol 841 cc263-4W
Mr. Pavitt

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make an inquiry into the prices of pharmaceutical products of firms other than the one supplying medicines scheduled on pages 725 and 765 of the National Health Service Hospital Supply Catalogue which fall within the same group, with a view to obtaining comparable reductions to those shown.

Mr. Alison

No, there are no other companies with products in the same group who are in a similar position to the firm in question.

Mr. Pavitt

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will enter into negotiations with the pharmaceutical company which has considerably reduced the price of two of their products as shown in the National Health Service Hospital Supply Catalogue, Group D, pages 725 and 765, to secure similar reductions on other products used in the National Health Service.

Mr. Alison

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to his other Question today.

Mr. Pavitt

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services as the contract terms applicable from 1st July, 1972 for the diazepam and chlordiazepoxide range of medicines, a copy of which has been sent to him by the hon. Member for Willesden, West, show a saving of 80 per cent. on the prices he is at present paying on general practitioners' prescriptions, if he will now negotiate bulk purchases on these terms to be made available to retail pharmacists.

Mr. Alison

The prices of these two drugs on general practitioners' prescriptions are the subject of a reference to the Monopolies Commission, made after the company concerned had refused to negotiate with my Department on the prices of its products and we await the Commission's report. It is not unusual for hospital contract prices to be lower than those payable by retail pharmacists.