§ Mr. BreedTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the financial impact on dispensing pharmacies of 90 day pay contracts for prescription drugs; and if he will make a statement. [37378]
§ Mr. MilburnA payment representing approximately 80 per cent. of the amount due for dispensing prescriptions is made to community pharmacists on the first day of the month following that which correctly endorsed prescriptions are received for pricing. The balance is paid on the first day of the following month, once prescriptions have been fully processed. This long established payment schedule is one of the factors taken into account in determining overall remuneration for community pharmacy contractors.