§ Mr. ReedTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to assist patients and general practitioners to change from chlorofluorocarbons to non-chlorofluorocarbon metered dose inhalers. [16641]
§ Mr. MilburnWe are considering what action we need to take to provide information to patients and to general practitioners and other health professionals, to assist in the change from chlorofluorocarbon to non-chlorofluorocarbon metered dose inhalers. The Government will consult with the relevant professional groups.
§ Mr. ReedTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the annual cost to the National Health Service of changing from chlorofluorocarbons to non-chlorofluorocarbon metered dose inhalers. [16640]
§ Mr. MilburnIt is estimated that the direct cost of switching to chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) free products will be up to £10 million per annum. This cost will be incurred because there will not be a generic version of one of the major "reliever" inhalers containing salbutamol so patients currently using these will have to be moved on to another product. However other costs may arise if doctors respond to the transition by prescribing patients more expensive products than before. Such indirect costs depend on how the behaviour of individual doctors and patients might change and are difficult to quantify.