HC Deb 24 April 1989 vol 151 cc381-2W
Mr. Fearn

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department spent in 1987 on giving advice on drug usage to general practitioners and hospital doctors; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Mellor

In the financial year 1987.88 almost £2 million was spent by the Department on giving advice on drug usage to professional staff working in the NHS. This expenditure is not broken down by professional group. In addition, health authorities provide their own drug information services. It is not possible to separate the cost of such services from the total pharmaceutical services provided by health authorities.