§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services why he has accepted the price increases in the range of Boehringer Ingelheim and WB Pharmaceuticals which took effect on 1 December 1980; if he will compare the list sent to him by the hon. Member for Brent, South with the list also sent which showed high increases which took effect 11 months ago; what is his estimate of the extra cost to the National Health Service; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. VaughanThe increases were accepted under the pharmaceutical price regulation scheme agreed between the Industry and Health Departments in 1978. The interval between price changes varies, depending amongst other things on the incidence of cost charges. Before 1980, the last increase agreed for these products was in January 1978.
The value of price increases under the scheme is derived from information supplied in confidence which is not available in published accounts and is of commercial value. Estimates of the cost of increases could not be published without a breach of confidence.