§ Dr. Mawhinneyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what records of individual general practitioners' prescribing habits and drug costs exist; who holds them; fòr how many years they have existed; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeRecords of individual general practitioner's prescribing habits and drug costs have been held by our Department since the early years of the National Health Service. The Prescription Pricing Authority prepares every year for every family practitioner committee, an analysis of all prescriptions written by general practitioners in the FPC area during a sample month. A summary of this analysis is sent to every general practitioner in the area together with the statistics relating to his or her individual prescribing. The general practitioner is then able to see how his or her prescribing compares with that of colleagues in the area. More detailed analyses are prepared on doctors whose prescribing costs are significantly higher than the local average.