§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will give for each year since 1988 the change in numbers of items prescribed resulting from changes to the limited list.
§ Dr. MawhinneyThe total number of prescriptions dispensed in each of the years from 1988 is shown in the table. It is not possible to isolate the effect of the selected list scheme from the other factors which have an influence on the number of national health service prescriptions dispensed each year.
Number of prescriptions—England Year Number (million) 1988 375.5 1989 383.5 1990 394.8 11991 413.9 21991 406.5 1992 425.1 1 1988 to 1991 (a) are based on fees. They cover prescriptions dispensed by community pharmacists and appliance contractors, dispensing doctors and personal administration. 2 1991 (b) to 1992 data are from the new prescription cost analysis system based on items and have the same coverage as above.