§ Mr. Galleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the cheapest drug tariff, part V A and V D, price for each of the following drugs and for the most expensive branded form of the drug currently available to National Health Service practitioners: Amitriptyline, Ampicillin, Diazepam, Frusemide, Imipramine, Indomethacin, Methyldopa, Nitrazepam, Propanolol and Temazepam; and if he will estimate the total annual difference in cost to the National Health Service if all prescriptions for the above drugs were dispensed in generic forms rather than branded forms.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe following comparisons are given of the most commonly prescribed strength and pack sizes at current prices.
Strength Pack Size Drug Drug Tariff Branded mg Price (£) Price (£) 25 500 Amitriptylin 3.84 10.28 250 100 Ampicillin 2.56 7.34 5 1,000 Diazepam 2.32 13.62 40 500 Frusemide 2.80 27.14 25 500 Imipramine 2.71 15.75 25 500 Indomethacin 5.66 24.85 250 1,000 Methyldopa 19.71 59.40 5 500 Nitrazepam 2.20 12.02 40 1,000 Propanolol 5.57 39.70 10 100 Temazepam not listed 4.88 Drug tariff prices are those included in part VIII (formerly part V) categories A and S of the tariff.
If all prescriptions for these drugs had been dispensed in their generic form rather than branded form it is estimated that the difference in cost would have been £24 .8 million (gross). This estimate relates to family practitioner services in England only in 1983, the latest year for which figures are available.
§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the aggregate annual savings which would be made if Mogadon, Valium, Lasix, Panadol and Aldomet were to be prescribed in their therapeutical equivalents by generic names.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeIf all prescriptions for the drugs named had been dispensed in their generic rather than proprietary form it is estimated that the difference in cost would have been £16 .7 million (gross). This estimate relates to family practitioner services in England only in 1983, the latest year for which figures are available.