HC Deb 24 July 2002 vol 389 c1420W
Brian Cotter

To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reasons payments to pharmacists are not covered by the Late Payment of Debt Act 1998. [72228]

Mr. Lammy

The Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 applies to contracts. We consider that payments by the prescription pricing authority to chemists are not made under a contract but under statutory arrangements, as set out in the National Health Service (Pharmaceutical Services) Regulations 1992 and the drug tariff.