§ Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what success he has achieved in reducing the amount indigenous drug companies are spending on advertising and promotional activities in the United Kingdom; and whether he expects further reductions.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeAt the moment for the purposes of the pharmaceutical price regulation scheme, any sums which companies spend on sales promotion over a prescribed ceiling—at present roughly 10 per cent. of the value of sales to the NHS—are treated as profit. The notional profit is taken into account in considering price increases under the scheme or claims for rebates when profits exceed the approved level. We are currently discussing with representatives of the industry the scope for further savings in the NHS drugs bill, including the controls on promotional expenditure. We hope to make a further statement shortly.
§ Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action he has taken following the 190W report produced in 1982 by the Comptroller and Auditor General highlighting the cost of drugs prescribed by general practitioners; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeI refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's reply to my hon. Friends the Members for Darlington (Mr. Fallon) and for Crosby (Mr. Thornton) on 15 November.—[Vol. 48, c.23.]
§ Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the latest available figures of the cost of drugs as prescribed by family medical practitioners compared with the cost of drugs used and supplied by hospitals for the same period.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeOur provisional figures for the year ended 31 March 1983 show expenditure of £990 million by the family practitioner services and £245 million by the hospital services. The figure for the family practitioner services includes the cost of appliances, but does not include fees and allowances paid for dispensing.
§ Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will introduce a system of testing the veracity of claims made for new drugs, with assessments published in the Prescribers Journal, in order to aid prescribers.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeNew medicinal products are fully assessed for safety, quality and efficacy before a licence is granted, and promotional claims and indications for use must be consistent with the terms of the licence. Advertisements to practitioners must be accompanied or preceded by a data sheet in a standard format designed to provide prescribers with an objective statement of essential particulars about the product. We see no need to alter these arrangements.