HC Deb 21 December 1976 vol 923 cc95-7W
Mr. Woof

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the total expenditure on sales promotion by the United Kingdom pharmaceutical industry for the years 1974 and 1975, respectively; and what was the total value of exports of United Kingdom pharmaceutical products in 1974 and 1975, respectively.

Mr. Ennals

The total expenditure in 1974 on sales promotion in the United Kingdom by companies with over £1 million sales of NHS pharmaceutical products was £38.4 million. The figure for 1975 is not yet available.

The total value of exports of pharmaceutical chemicals and preparations was: 1974—£282 million; 1975—£346 million.

Mr. Woof

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the growth rate for pharmaceutical chemicals and preparations by the British pharmaceutical industry for each of the years 1972, 1973, 1974 and 1975.

Mr. Ennals

On the basis of statistics of sales by United Kingdom manufacturers published in Business Monitor (PQ 272) the growth rates of pharmaceutical preparations and chemicals were:

per cent.
1972 10
1973 21
1974 21
1975 23
The statistics are based on the prices prevailing in each of the years concerned.

Mr. Woof

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the amount of sales of pharmaceuticals to the National Health Service for the years 1972, 1973, 1974 and 1975, respectively.

Mr. Ennals

The information is as follows:

Year Cost* £ million (England)
1972 192
1973 215
1974 257
1975 333†
* Hospital drug costs together with the cost of drugs, dressings and appliances supplied under the Pharmaceutical Services by pharmacists and dispensing doctors (exclusive of fees and allowances paid to them).
† Provisional.

Mr. Woof

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many pharmacies under contract to dispense National Health prescriptions closed, or ceased National Health dispensing in 1973, 1974 and 1975, respectively.

Mr. Ennals

The net reductions in 1973, 1974 and 1975 in the numbers of pharmacies on National Health Service pharmaceutical lists in England were 240, 192 and 199 respectively.

Mr. Woof

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether his Department has discussed with the British pharmaceutical industry future prospects for ensuring that home needs are met and increasing exports are achieved.

Mr. Ennals

The general economic performance and prospects of the pharmaceutical industry are being examined by the NEDO Sector Working Party for pharmaceuticals, of which two officers from my Department are members. We maintain close links with the industry on these issues.

Mr. Woof

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the number of pharmacies on the lists of executive councils in the Northern Region Health Authority.

Mr. Ennals

The numbers of pharmacies at the end of 1975 on the pharmaceutical lists of Family Practioner Committees (FPCs) within the area of the Northern Regional Health Authority were as follows:

FPC Number of Pharmacies
Cleveland 89
Cumbria 106
Durham 118
Gateshead 45
Newcastle 71
Northumberland 62
North Tyneside 50
South Tyneside 35
Sunderland 58
Total 634