§ Mr. RentonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 22 February,Official Report, column 480, what was the total prescription volume and costs for (a) antacids and (b) anti-ulcer drugs for each of the last 10 years.
Prescriptions (thousands) 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 Antacids (1.1)1 6,320 6,558 6,733 6,978 7,406 7,757 7,953 7,701 7,713 8,469 Ulcer-healing drugs (1.3)1 2,165 2,431 2,794 3,234 3,859 4,515 5,104 5,792 6,698 7,961
Net Ingredient Cost (pounds thousands) 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 Antacids (1.1)1 15,717 17,956 18,796 17,280 18,397 20,005 20,999 20,795 20,902 23,876 Ulcer healing drugs (1.3)1 31,652 41,422 51,087 63,533 81,930 101,719 124,262 146,996 180,081 222,241 1British National Formulary category. Notes:
1. 1982 to 1990 data based on a sample of one in 200 prescriptions dispensed by community pharmacists and appliance contractors only.
2. 1991 data cover all prescriptions dispensed by community pharmacists and appliance contractors, dispensing doctors, and personal administration.