§ Mrs. EllmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department takes to ensure the NHS receives value for money in relation to the purchase of drugs. [43029]
§ Mr. MilburnThe Department encourages clinicians to seek value for money in their use of medicines through various means, including publications, feedback on prescribing patterns, and visits from prescribing advisers. In addition, the Department seeks to secure fair prices for National Health Service medicines through the operation of the Pharmaceuticals Price Regulation Scheme and (for out of patent medicines) through encouraging price competition.