§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the anual rate of inflation in drug prices; and in what way allowance is made for this in the return on capital permitted by the National Health Service to pharmacists.
§ Mr. EnnalsThe average cost of drugs and appliances dispensed by chemists in England and Wales increased from 132.1p per prescription in February 1977 to 152.1p per prescription in February 1978, the latest date for which figures are available, an increase of 15.1 per cent. The return on capital employed fully reflects such increases.