§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is her estimate of the annual saving to the NHS arising from drug companies supplying certain drugs free to hospitals for each of the last five years; what assessment she has made of this practice for the health service; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. SackvilleWe are aware that some drug companies supply drugs free of charge to hospitals either as samples or where clinical trials are in progress. Information on the extent of these supplies is not available centrally.