§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the cost to public funds of purchases of Zantac
46W in the last three complete financial years; and what savings are estimated to derive from the expiry of the patent. [35052]
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
§ Mr. MilburnThe 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.