§ Mrs. FyfeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what was the total number of plastic syringes supplied on free prescription to sufferers from diabetes in the last available year for which statistics are available; and what was the total cost of these supplies;
(2) what is the estimated total cost of the needles required for insulin pen injectors if these were supplied free on prescription to all sufferers from diabetes who are currently supplied with plastic syringes.
§ Mr. Michael Forsyth[holding answer 2 March 1992]: The total estimated number of plastic syringes and needles supplied to diabetics in Scotland in 1990 is 4.5 million at a total cost of £414,000. The needle is an integral part of the plastic syringe.
The Department of Health is presently negotiating with manufacturers the specification and cost of pen injecting systems and associated needles. It is therefore not possible to estimate the cost of needles for pen injectors.