HC Deb 03 March 1993 vol 220 cc172-3W
Mr. Alex Carlile

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the increase in prescription charges in each year since 1963; and if she will make a statement.

Dr. Mawhinney

The information requested is in the table. The prescription charge remains substantially less than the average total cost of a prescribed item to the national health service; only one in five prescribed items dispensed by community pharmacists and appliance contractors now attracts a charge, compared with two in five in 1979.

Date Prescription charge (£) Cash change (£) Per cent. Cash change Per cent. Change real terms
1 April 1989 2.80 0.20 7.7 1.1
1 April 1990 3.05 0.25 8.9 0.9
1 April 1991 3.40 0.35 11.5 4.3
1 April 1992 3.75 0.35 10.3 5.8
1 April 1993 4.25 0.50 13.3 10.3