§ Ms PrimaroloTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what cost analysis she has of saving to the national health service by introducing generic prescribing.
§ Dr. MawhinneyNo reliable estimate of savings can be made from the current rate of generic prescribing as it is not possible to determine which brand name products might have been prescribed as alternatives.
§ Ms PrimaroloTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the highest generic prescribing rate by any general practitioner in the United Kingdom; and what is the national average generic prescribing rate by general practitioners and the savings to the NHS in real terms for each percentage point increase in generic prescribing.
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§ Dr. MawhinneyInformation on generic prescribing rates at general practitioner level is not available centrally. The national average generic prescribing rate by general practitioners for the year 1992–93, in England, was 44 per cent. It is not possible to provide a meaningful estimate of the savings to the national health service in real terms for each percentage point increase in the level of generic prescribing.
Notes:
- 1. Based on figures provided by the Prescription Pricing Authority through the PACTLINE Management Services Information System.
- 2. Relates to GP prescribing only.
- 3. Based on the 1992–93 financial year.
§ Ms PrimaroloTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the percentage generic prescribing for fund holder and non-fund holder general practitioners.
§ Dr. MawhinneyThe percentage of generic prescribing for general practitioners in England for the year 1992–93 was 49 per cent. for fund holders and 43 per cent. for non-fundholders.
Notes:
- 1. Based on figures provided by the Prescription Pricing Authority through the PACTLINE Management Services Information System.
- 2. Relates to GP prescribing only.
- 3. Based on the 1992–93 financial year.
§ Ms. PrimaroloTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to introduce generic substitution into prescribing.
§ Dr. MawhinneyIt is Government policy to encourage general practitioners to prescribe generically wherever clinically appropriate. During the period 1982 to 1992 generic prescribing almost doubled to 43 per cent. National health service managers are working with GP practices at local level to achieve the highest possible levels of generic prescribing through training, increased GP fund holding and incentive schemes.