§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the number of pharmaceutical items dispensed within National Health Service hospitals in 1978–79 and each year since.
§ Mr. John PattenThis information is not available.
§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what was the number of items prescribed by general practitioners and dispensed by National Health Service pharmacists in 1978–79 and each year since;
(2) what was the cost to the National Health Service of drugs prescribed by general practitioners and dispensed by National Health Service pharmacists in 1978–79 and each year since.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe information is as follows:
Number of prescriptions* (millions) Cost of drugs etc† (£ millions) 1978–79 307.8 519.5 1979–80 303.7 590.1 1980–81 302.6 715.8 1981–82 300.1 808.0 1982–83 311.7 934.3 Notes:
* Prescriptions dispensed by pharmacists and appliance contractors and including a small number of prescriptions written by hospital doctors but dispensed by community pharmacists.
† Cost of drugs and appliances dispensed by pharmacists and appliance contractors and including the cost of a small number of prescriptions written by hospital doctors but dispensed by community pharmacists. Fees and allowances paid for dispensing are excluded.