§ Mr. WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what are his estimates of the annual cost to the national health service of introducing original pack dispensing for generic pharmaceuticals and of the pharmacists' containers allowance.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyIt is not possible to estimate what the effect of introducing more original pack dispensing for generic pharmaceuticals might be on costs for the national health service.
The cost of the container allowance for the year 1 April 1989 to 31 March 1990 was £14.6 million.
§ Mr. WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the proposed European Community directive on patient information leaflets for pharmaceuticals; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyWe support the principle of providing improved information to patients about their medicines as proposed by the EC.
Discussions on details are in progress.