HC Deb 04 November 1996 vol 284 c404W
Mr. Bayley

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much the NHS spent on beta-interferon in the first six months of(a) 1996–97 and (b) 1995–96. [2329]

Mr. Malone

Information on the net ingredient cost of all beta-interferon products dispensed in the community in England is shown in the list. Information on the cost of drugs dispensed in hospital pharmacies is riot available centrally.

  • 1995
  • January-June: £63,000.
  • 1996
  • January-June: £163,000.

Notes: Data are only available for the first three months of the 1996–97 financial year. In order to provide a six-month comparison period, data are therefore provided on the basis of the first six calendar months for each year. Figures are rounded to the nearest £1,000, and include the cost of any prescriptions written by hospital consultants but dispensed in the community. The data are from the prescribing analysis cost system generated by the Prescription Pricing Authority and cover only those prescriptions which were dispensed in the community.