§ Dr. CableTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what was the cost to the NHS of the prescription of the drug Aricept in 1998; and how many prescriptions were issued by each health authority; [75530]
(2) what funds each health authority in England has allocated to consultants and general practitioners for prescribing the drug Aricept in the current year. [75531]
§ Mr. DenhamThe Department does not allocate funds specifically for prescribing the drug Aricept. Health authorities are expected to budget for the prescribing of this drug within their overall allocations.
In the 12 months ending September 1998, 17,000 prescription items for Donepezil Hydrochloride (Aricept) were dispensed in the community. The total net ingredient cost was £1.6 million. 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. Information for prescriptions dispensed in the year ending December 1998 is not yet available. Information about drugs dispensed in hospitals is not available
Donepezil Hydrochloride was prescribed on the National Health Service in all health authorities in England over the twelve-month period ending September 1998. Information for individual products such as Aricept is not released at health authority level. This is in order to preserve patient, contractor and commercial confidentiality.