§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list by health authority the levels of prescribing 43W of Ritalin (methylphenidate) in terms of (a) numbers of people and (b) cost in (i) 1993–94, (ii) 1994–95, (iii) 1995–96 and (iv) 1996–97. [41203]
§ Mr. Milburn[holding answer 8 May 1998]Information on the number of people receiving Ritalin is not available. Information on prescriptions dispensed for individual products such as Ritalin is not released at health authority level. This is in order to preserve patient, contractor and commercial confidentiality.
The net ingredient cost of prescription items dispensed for Ritalin in the community in England from 1993–94 to 1996–97 is shown in the table. Data on prescriptions dispensed in hospital are not available.
The net ingredient cost of prescription items for Ritalin (methylphenidate hydrochloride) dispensed in the community, 1993–94 to 1996–97 in England £000 Year Net ingredient cost 1993–94 30.6 1994–95 61.2 1995–96 365.6 1996–97 998.7 Notes
- 1. The data cover all prescriptions dispensed in the community, i.e. by community pharmacists and appliance contractors, dispensing doctors, and prescriptions submitted by prescribing doctors for items personally administered in England
- 2. The net ingredient cost 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