§ Mr. McMahonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what figures he has as to the number of 423W prescriptions given by general practitioners in each of the Scottish regions which are not used by patients; and in how many cases he has evidence that the level of prescription charges was the deciding factor.
§ Mr. John MacKayNo information is available about NHS prescriptions not used by patients. Around 70 per cent. of all prescrition items are dispensed for patients in the broad categories of persons exempt from payment of prescripton charges. Moreover, patients who require frequent prescriptions can purchase prepayment certificates and over 5 per cent. of prescrition items are dispensed to such patients, who pay no charges for individual prescriptions. There is no evidence that the level of prescription charges has any bearing on decisions not to present prescriptions for dispensing.