§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average length of the time taken, by region, by his Department to pay independent pharmacists for the cost of medicines dispensed. [62068]
§ 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 in which correctly endorsed prescriptions are received for pricing at the prescription pricing authority. The balance is paid on the first day of the following month once prescriptions have been fully processed.