§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what factors underlie the greater increase in prescriptions dispensed by community pharmacists and appliance contractors between 1986 and 1996 for elderly people than for the remainder of the population.[15738]
§ Mr. MilburnA greater proportion of prescriptions dispensed in the community by pharmacists and appliance contractors are for elderly people than for other age groups because they have a greater need for treatment. There is an increasing proportion of elderly people in the population, more treatments are now available for conditions which affect the elderly and there is increased recognition that the elderly can benefit from treatment. In addition, more elderly people are being cared for in the community and thus receiving their medication there, rather than in hospital.
§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans his Department has to evaluate the role of community pharmacists in providing advice on therapy of minor illnesses, monitoring drug therapy and reviewing repeat prescriptions for older people.[15737]
§ Mr. MilburnAdvice on self-care and the treatment of minor ailments is a traditional role of community pharmacists and one which we are keen to encourage. The Department has funded a range of pilot projects designed to test how community pharmacists can play a wider role in the provision of primary health care locally. Subjects covered in these pilots include repeat dispensing and monitoring of drug therapy, including that of elderly people. All the projects will be evaluated.
Cash (£000) Devon Cornwall Year Exeter DHA North Devon DHA Plymouth DHA Torbay DHA North and East Devon DHA South and West Devon DHA Cornwall and Isles of Scilly DHA 1992–93 120,932 51,216 115,952 98,125 — — 175,092 1993–94 — — — — 172,695 224,672 179,458 1994–95 — — — — 182,155 233,778 190,088 1995–96 — — — — 186,673 241,552 194,552 1996–971 — — — — 298,276 373,336 303,290 Notes11996–97 data are provisional
Source Annual accounts of district health authorities 1992–93 to 1995–96 and the annual accounts of health authorities 1996–97.
At 1992 prices (£000) Devon Cornwall Year Exeter DHA North Devon DHA Plymouth DHA Torbay DHA North and East Devon DHA South and West Devon DHA Cornwall and Isles of Scilly DHA 1992–93 120,932 51,216 115,952 98,125 — — 175,092 1993–94 — — — — 167,860 218,381 174,433 1994–95 — — — — 173,958 223,258 181,534 1995–96 — — — — 173,793 224,885 181,128 1996–971 — — — — 271,133 339,362 275,691 Notes 11996–97 data are provisional.
Source Annual accounts of district health authorities 1992–93 to 1995–96 and the annual accounts of health authorities 1996–97.
62W