§ Mr. Meacherasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for the financial years 1983–84 and 1984–85, what were (a) the costs of producing and distributing literature about exemption from prescription charges, (b) the costs of inspection for fraud in claiming exemption from prescription charges and (c) the cost of administering the sale of pre-payment certificates.
§ Mr. NeedhamThe information is not available.
§ Mr. Meacherasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for each quarter of the calendar year 1984, the first three quarters of 1985 and for the financial years 1983–84 and 1984–85, what was (a) the number of prescriptions dispensed, (b) the percentage of prescriptions exempt from charges, (c) the costs of prescriptions (i) the payments by patients (including pre-payment certification), (ii) the payments from public funds, (iii) the total costs, (iv) the average gross costs per prescription and (d) the number and type of pre-payment certificate and (e) revenue from the sale of pre-payment certificates.
§ Mr. NeedhamThe information requested on prescriptions dispensed by chemist contractors and appliance suppliers is as follows: 731W
Period Prescriptions dispensed Percentage exempt from charge* Patients contributions… Payment from public funds Total cost Average gross cost per prescription Number and type of pre-payment certificates Revenue from sale of pre-payment certification Thousands £ thousands £ thousands £ thousands £ 4 month 12 month £ Financial year 1983–84 13,503 84.44 2,923 59,011 62,139 4.60 4,860 7,810 204,889 1984–85 13,900 85.64 3,140 62,665 66,046 4.75 5,973 9,668 241,093 * This figure includes an estimated 4 per cent. of prescriptions which are exempt because of the purchase of prepayment certificates. † Excluding pre-payment certificates.