HC Deb 02 March 1999 vol 326 c673W
Mr. Nicholas Winterton

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the cost to the NHS of the medication for the treatment of asthma in(a) 1997 and (b) 1998. [73925]

Mr. Hutton

In 1997, the net ingredient cost of drugs used in the treatment of asthma and dispensed in the community in England was £466.2 million. Information for 1998 is not yet available. Some of the drugs may be used for other conditions and it is not possible to split the cost between drugs used to treat asthma and those used to treat other conditions. The net ingredient cost is the basic cost of a drug and does not take account of discounts, dispensing costs, fees or prescription charges income.