HC Deb 22 June 1995 vol 262 c417W
Mr. Llwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will estimate the cost of administering the present prescription and exemption charges system in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [29058]

Mr. Richards

The information is as follows:

Item Cost (£ million)
Purchase of prescription forms for supply to doctors and dentists1 0.08
Pricing of prescriptions dispensed by community pharmacists, appliance contractors and doctors2 3.2
1 Expenditure by family health service authorities, 1994. Other FHSA administration costs associated with the NHS prescription system and the charge exemption and remission arrangements are not separately identified.
2 Expenditure by Prescription Pricing Services, April 1994—March 1995.

The following are excluded from the above:

  1. (1) fees paid to doctors, dentists and pharmacists for professional services and expenditure on the drugs bill;
  2. (2) costs of operating the NHS low income scheme in Wales, which are not separately identified. The scheme provides remission of prescription charges and help with other NHS costs to eligible claimants and their dependents.