§ Mr. Michael MorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the estimated figure for savings on the national health service drugs bill in 1989 attributed to more economical prescribing by general practitioners following the introduction of prescribing analyses and costs data.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyFrom 1979 to 1988 the net ingredient cost of drugs—the cost before any discounts and pharmacy costs and fees—prescribed by GPs increased by an average of 13 per cent. each year. In 1989 this increase was reduced to 8 per cent., representing an estimated saving of around £80 million relative to the previous trend. The introduction of PACT has been a major factor. Encouragement to cost-effective prescribing will be maintained by the indicative prescribing scheme.