§ 18. Mr. David Atkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied that pharmacists are being offered sufficient incentives to achieve more economic purchasing.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe principle of the current system is, and has been for many years, that pharmacists should be reimbursed at the national average for the cost of the drugs they buy and dispense for the NHS. There is some incentive, therefore, for individual pharmacists to purchase drugs at prices below that national average, where possible. We are currently examining the present arrangements for NHS dispensing and the need for incentives to economic purchasing will be one of the points we will look at.