§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what work his Department has undertaken to explain the trends in prescribing of(a) atypical and (b) traditional antipsychotic medication within the NHS; what the key findings are; and if he will set out the number of prescription items dispensed within the NHS in England for antipsychotic drugs in each of the last five years for each regional and health authority for the age groups (i) 0 to 15 years, (ii) 16 to 59 years and (iii) 60 years and over. [10998]
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§ Jacqui SmithNo work has been done at this stage to explain the recent trend in prescribing of atypical and traditional antipsychotic medication although the figures are monitored.
The National Institute for Clinical Excellence is undertaking an appraisal of the use of atypical antipsychotic drugs in schizophrenia. Guidance is expected to be issued this year. The number of prescription items dispensed in the community in England for antipsychotic drugs, 1999 and 2000 by health authority, have been placed in the Library. Similar information for earlier years is not available. Information about antipsychotic drugs dispensed in hospitals is not available.
§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many prescriptions were dispensed in(a) 1999 and (b) 2000 for (i) atypical antipsychotic medicine, (ii) traditional antipsychotic medicine and (iii) all antipsychotic medicine, to hospital patients by each health authority in England for patients (A) up to 16, (B) 16 to 59, and (C) 60 years old and over. [17829]
§ Jacqui SmithThe information requested is not available centrally.