HC Deb 23 March 1998 vol 309 cc45-6W
Mr. Cousins

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the cost to public funds of purchases of Zantac

1996–97 1997–98
Quarter 1 Quarter 2 Quarter 3 Quarter 4 Quarter 1 Quarter 2 Quarter 3
Northern & Yorkshire 2,154 3,283 3,380 3,713 3,691 3,147 3,712
Trent 2,916 2,785 2,752 3,031 3,056 3,173 2,973
Anglia & Oxford 1,309 1,875 2,512 2,258 2,086 2,013 2,273
North Thames 1,614 2,470 2,730 2,183 3,021 2,569 2,948
South Thames 3,645 3,107 3,190 4,251 4,007 3,563 3,871
in the last three complete financial years; and what savings are estimated to derive from the expiry of the patent. [35052]

Mr. Milburn

The available information is shown in the table. No estimate has been made of any savings derived from the expiry of the patent.

Number and the net ingredient cost of prescription items dispensed for Zantac (Ranitidine), 1994–95 to 1996–97 England
Year Prescription items (millions) Net ingredient cost (£ million)
1994–95 4.7 147.6
1995–96 4.6 143.5
1996–97 4.4 137.2

Notes:

1. The figures are based on a full analysis of all prescriptions dispensed in England in the community, ie by community pharmacists and appliance contractors, dispensing doctors, and prescriptions submitted by prescribing doctors for items personally administered.

2. The information on costs is available only in terms of net ingredient cost which refers to the cost of the drug before discounts and does not include any dispensing costs or fees. It does not include any adjustment for income obtained where a prescription charge is paid at the time the prescription is dispensed or where the patient has purchased a pre-payment certificate.