§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average cost of each prescription made by doctors operating under the National Health Service; and how much of this cost is on account of administration.
§ Dr. VaughanThe average gross cost of prescriptions dispensed by retail pharmacists in England and Wales for292W September 1981 (the latest figure available) was £3.52. Of this, £2.88 was the cost of the ingredients themselves; the remainder covers the chemists' professional fees and a container allowance. The administrative costs of pricing prescriptions and paying chemists are not included as they are not available separately.