§ Mr. LeeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the latest estimate of the drugs bill in 1990–91 and 1991–92.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyOur latest forecast of the cost of drugs prescribed by general practitioners in 1990–91 is some £200 millions less than provided in the Estimates. This is forecast to give 1 per cent. growth in real terms over 1989–90, compared with an average of 4 per cent. a year in the five years from 1985–86 to 1989–90, and reflects the effectiveness of the prescribing analysis and cost (PACT) initiative in influencing prescribing by GPs. The forecast350W drugs bill for 1991–92 in our public expenditure plans is £2,310 millions, an increase of 3 per cent. in real terms over the forecast outturn for this year.