§ Dr. KumarTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many Epi Pens were(a) prescribed and (b) used in the last 12 months; and what was the total cost to the National Health Service; [131007]
(2) what advice he has issued to (a) medical practitioners, (b) NHS trusts and (c) primary care groups on the (i) prescription and (ii) use of Epi Pens. [131006]
§ Ms StuartThe number of prescription items dispensed in the community in England in 1999 for Epi Pens was 50,300. The associated net ingredient cost was £1,754,900. Information is not available on the numbers used or on the number of items dispensed in hospitals.
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.
Guidance on anaphylaxis and its treatment appears in the British National Formulary (BNF) which is issued twice a year to doctors, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals by the Department. It is a joint publication of the British Medical Association and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain. The BNF aims to provide doctors, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals with up to date information about the use of medicines.
Further advice was also included in the Chief Medical Officer Update No. 2 issued in May 1994 and the Chief Medical Officer Update No. 19 issued in August 1998.