HC Deb 12 July 1978 vol 953 cc614-5W
Mr. Knax

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the value of drugs prescribed under the National Health Service by chemists in the United Kingdom in 1970, 1974 and 1977, at constant prices.

Mr. Moyle

£141 million, £156 million and £173 million respectively for the financial years 1969–70, 1973–74 and 1976–77. These figures relate to prescriptions dispensed by pharmacists under the arrangements for the provision of pharmaceutical services. They exclude fees and allowances paid to pharmacists for dispensing, include income from prescription charges and take account of the movement in the wholesale price index for products of manufacturing industries, other than food, drink and tobacco.