§ Mr. SteinbergTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what cost was incurred by his Department in the most recent available year in respect of NHS prescriptions to pensioners. [78934]
§ Mr. DenhamIn 1997, the estimated cost of prescription items dispensed by community pharmacies and appliance contractors to persons aged 60 and over was £1,906 million.
This is the net ingredient cost, which is the basic cost of a drug and does not take account of discounts, dispensing costs, fees or prescription charge income. Information about the cost of prescriptions dispensed in the community by dispensing doctors or dispensed in hospitals to persons aged 60 and over is not available.