HC Deb 04 November 1997 vol 300 cc178-9W
Mr. Burstow

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the cost of prescribing beta interferon in each year since 1995 for each health authority. [13475]

Mr. Milburn

The available information is shown in the table. Comparable information for the complete 1997 year is not yet available. In order not to disclose information that may relate to an individual patient, information is only provided where 50 items or more have been dispensed. In no health authority in 1995 were 50 or more items dispensed.

The cost of prescribing beta interferon in hospitals is not available.

Net ingredient cost of prescriptions for beta interferon dispensed in the community
£000
1995 1996
Berkshire 80
West Surrey 113
East Surrey 52
Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow 69
England 132 681

Mr. Burstow

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many complaints his Department has received concerning the prescribing of beta interferon in each year since 1995. [13473]

Mr. Milburn

The Department of Health has received a number of representations about the prescribing of beta interferon, by letter and telephone. However, a central record of all such representations is not available.

Helen Jackson

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the cost of beta interferon to the NHS in(a) 1995, (b) 1996 and (c) 1997. [13808]

Mr. Milburn

The available information is shown in the table. Comparable information for the complete 1997 year is not yet available.

1995 1996
England 132 681

The cost of prescribing beta interferon in hospitals is not available.

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