HC Deb 23 July 1984 vol 64 cc437-9W
Mr. Willie W. Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the average cost of ingredients for prescription within the National Health Service in each quarter since June 1983; and what was the total cost of such ingredients in January in each of the last five years.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

The figures requested, in respect of prescriptions dispensed by chemists and appliance contractors in the family practitioner services, are as follows:

Average cost of prescription ingredients (England)
£
July to September 1983 inclusive 3.61
October to December 1983 inclusive 3.59
January to March 1984 inclusive 3.49

The figures for April to June 1984 are not yet available.

Total ingredient costs (England)
£
January 1980 54,878,976
January 1981 66,022,830
January 1982 74,061,318
January 1983 85,077,466
January 1984 92,653,461