§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what quantity of benzodiazepines was prescribed via community pharmacists in England and Wales in each year since 1987; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. MaloneThe available data for England are contained in the table. Information relating to Wales is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.
Benzodiazepines dispensing by community pharmacists. England 1987 to 1993 Year Prescriptions (thousands) 1987 20,565 1988 18,682 1989 17,274 1990 16,507 1991 15,662 1992 14,775 1993 14,143 Notes:
1. The data are from the Prescription Costs Analysis system and cover all prescriptions dispensed by community pharmacists and appliance contractors.
2. 1987 to 1990 data are based on fees. Data from 1991 are based on items.
3. The data on the Prescribing Analyses and Cost PCA system are for England only and cover all prescriptions dispensed by community pharmacists and appliance contractors.