HC Deb 26 February 1981 vol 999 cc432-3W
Mr. Ernie Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of the total number of prescriptions was accounted for by sedatives, sedative-anti-depressants, and hypnotics in each of the past five years in Scotland.

Mr. Fairgrieve

The percentages for appropriate classifications are shown in the table below.

1975 1976 1977 1978 1979
Sedatives and tranquillisers 7.3 6.8 7.2 6.9 6.8
Anti-depressants 2.0 2.0 1.9 1.8 1.9
Anti-depressants and sedative/tranquilliser combinations 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.3
Hypnotics 5.7 5.3 5.5 5.2 5.3
Figures for 1980 are not yet available.

International passenger sample survey Movement of patients on doctors' lists
Year to June To Scotland From Scotland Net Rest United Kingdom to Scotland Scotland to rest United Kingdom Net
1976 14,600 19,000 –4,400 56,600 57,000 –400
1977 12,400 17,900 –5,500 51,200 55,500 –4,300
1978 9,300 18,000 –8,700 50,600 58,200 –7,600
1979 11,200 18,700 –7,500 47,900 55,000 –7,100
1980 12,500 18,900 –6,400 45,200 55,100 –9,900