§ Mr. ChopeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the current annual cost to the National Health Service of methadone; and what is the latest estimate of the number of patients in each health authority area being prescribed methadone. [105257]
§ Ms StuartThe net ingredient cost of prescription items dispensed in the community for methadone hydrochloride in England in 1998 was £10.8 million. Information on methadone dispensed in hospitals or drug treatment clinics and the number of patients receiving prescribed methadone in each health authority is not available.