§ Mr. Hickmetasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what information he has as to the total income received by general practices in the United Kingdom from the dispensing of National Health Service prescriptions; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth Clarke[pursuant to his reply, 15 February 1985, c. 318.]: Information is not available for the United Kingdom. In 1983–84 for the supply of drugs and appliances in Great Britain the gross income from the taxpayer (excluding the cost of drugs) received by general medical practitioners was £21,247,000 of which £20,173,000 was received by dispensing doctors. Additional income was received by doctors from the varying levels of discount on the drug cost offered to them by wholesalers and manufacturers.