§ Mr. Peter Robinsonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what has been the cost to the Department of Health and Social Services of drugs prescribed in Northern Ireland in each of the last 10 years.
§ Mr. Chris PattenThe cost to the Department of Health and Social Services over the past 10 years in respect of drugs prescribed by general practitioners is as follows:
£ million 1973–74 10.6 1974–75 12.7 1975–76 16.1 1976–77 21.2 1977–78 25.9 1978–79 29.9 1979–80 33.3 1980–81 40.8 1981–82 47.9 1982–83 54.6