§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the items available on a national health service prescription which currently cost less than the prescription charge.
§ Dr. MawhinneyA list setting out those preparations which had an average net ingredient cost of less than the prescription charge in the period April 1992 to June 1992 has been placed in the Library. The list represents preparations and appliances dispensed by pharmacies and appliance contractors, dispensing doctors and prescriptions submitted by prescribing doctors for items personally administered. The net ingredient cost does not represent the full cost to the national health service of dispensing a prescription, this being made up, when prescriptions are dispensed by pharmacies, of the net ingredient cost, less discount, plus dispensing fees, on-cost and container allowances.