§ Lord Selkirk of Douglasasked Her Majesty's Government:
What categories of expenditure are included under (a) general pharmaceutical services; and (b) non cash-limited pharmacists' remuneration in the notification which has been allocated for the year 1999–2000. [HL744]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Baroness Hayman)Pharmaceutical services consist primarily of the supply of drugs and appliances prescribed by general practitioners. Reimbursements for drugs and appliances account for over 80 per cent. of the gross cost of the services, with fees to pharmacists and other dispensing practitioners making up most of the remainder. Income from prescription charges collected from patients is offset against these costs.
Non cash-limited pharmacists' remuneration comprises the fees paid to community pharmacists for dispensing prescriptions and most other pharmaceutical services. Some expenditure on locally managed pharmaceutical services is cash limited.
202WAIn 1999–2000, expenditure on drugs and appliances will be covered by health authorities' cash-limited allocations. Health authorities do not receive a predetermined allocation for non cash-limited expenditure.