HC Deb 25 January 2000 vol 343 c171W
Mr. Chope

To 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 Stuart

The 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.