§ Mrs. Ann WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement outlining the cost savings to his Department realised through the introduction of the limited list prescribing systems; and if he will indicate the precise manner in which that figure has been calculated.
383W
§ Mr. MellorIn 1985–86 the selected list scheme saved £75 million on the drugs bill. The savings in each of the seven therapeutic groups were:
£ million Cough and cold remedies 22 Analgesics for mild to moderate pain 19 Indigestion remedies 8 Vitamins 7½ Laxatives 2 Bitters and tonics 1 Benzodiazepine sedatives and tranquillisers 15½ These savings were calculated by comparing actual expenditure in 1985–86 with an estimate of the expenditure which would have been incurred in that year if the scheme had not been introduced.
It is not possible to make meaningful estimates for savings in subsequent years but we have no reason to doubt that significant savings continue to be made.