HC Deb 16 November 1984 vol 67 c386W
Mr. Gordon Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will estimate the numbers of items prescribed by doctors which are not dispensed over the last recently-available period.

Mr. John Patten

The information requested is not available.

Mr. Gordon Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will conduct a survey into the reasons why items prescribed by doctors are not dispensed by chemists.

Mr. John Patten

I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.

Mr. Gordon Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will estimate the proportion of items prescribed by doctors which cost less than £1.80.

Mr. John Patten

The precise information requested is not available. However, in England in 1983, the latest year for which information is available, 40.9 per cent. of prescriptions written by general practitioners and dispensed by chemists and appliance contractors had a net ingredient cost of less than £1.50. A further 9.1 per cent. had a net ingredient cost between £1.50 and £1.99.