§ 22. Mr. Beithasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what he estimates to be the difference in cost between supplying a diabetic patient with glass syringes and supplying such a patient with disposable syringes.
§ Mr. John PattenThe cost to the NHS of the reusable glass insulin syringes, reusable needles and syringe 109W carrying cases supplied on prescription is approximately £4.45* a year for each insulin-dependent diabetic patient in England.
The cost of supplying single-use (disposable) syringes and needles on prescription would be about £62 a year for a diabetic patient injecting twice a day and using the equipment once only as intended.
* Derived from 1983 prescribing figures at 1985 prices.