§ Mr. MacleanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the current number of cystic fibrosis sufferers in the United Kingdom and the annual costs of their prescriptions. [73316]
§ Mr. HuttonStatistical Information on the numbers of people with cystic fibrosis is not collected centrally. However, according to the clinical guidelines for cystic fibrosis care published jointly by the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, the British Paediatric Association and the British Thoracic Society in 1996, there were an estimated 6,250 people with cystic fibrosis in the United Kingdom in 1994.
Information for all prescriptions dispensed to people with cystic fibrosis is not available. Most drugs dispensed to people with cystic fibrosis are not specific to that condition. However, both pancreatin preparations and dornase alfa are specifically indicated for the management of cystic fibrosis. In 1997, the net ingredient cost of these drugs dispensed in the community in England was £5.0 million and £9.0 million respectively. 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.