HC Deb 09 February 1995 vol 254 cc365-6W
Mr. Gapes

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the annual cost to the NHS of general practitioners prescribing antibiotics.

Mr. Malone

The annual cost to the national health service for antibacterials prescribed by general practitioners for the last available year—1993–94—in England is:

Prescriptions (millions) Net ingredient cost (millions)
43.3 £171.3

Notes:

1. The term antibiotics is taken to mean antibacterial drugs as defined in the British national formulary, section 5.1.

2. The figures cover prescriptions written by general practitioners and dispensed by community pharmacists and dispensing doctors.

3. The net ingredient cost is the basic cost of the drugs before discount and does not include any dispensing costs or fees.

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