§ Mr. Kennedyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action he intends to take following discussions which his Department is having with representatives of pharmacists concerning excess profits accruing to certain pharmacists through the importation and sale of discounted drugs; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement about the monitoring of payments made to dispensing pharmacists in the light of the information sent to him by the hon. Member for Brent, South.
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§ Mr. HayhoeRetail pharmacists are reimbursed the cost of the drugs they use in dispensing National Health Service presciptions. Each receives the actual wholesale cost of the drug used less a stratified average discount which the pharmacist is deemed to be able to obtain.
The amount of the discount deduction is established by periodic statistical inquiries. The last such inquiry took place in 1981. My Department has already initiated discussions with the pharmacists' representatives, the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee, about a further enquiry which would identify all the various forms of discount available in the market.