§ Mr. Paul MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what percentage of prescriptions for treating animals issued by veterinary surgeons in each of the last five years were generic drugs; (2) how many prescriptions for animals were issued in each of the last five years by veterinary surgeons. [121855]
§ Mr. BradshawI have been asked to reply.
This information is not recorded centrally. To collate such information would be at disproportionate cost.
§ Mr. Paul MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many veterinary surgeons are practising in the UK. [121854]
§ Mr. BradshawI have been asked to reply.
The number of registered veterinary surgeons entitled to practise in the UK, as at 20 June 2003, is 14,024.
The estimated number of veterinary surgeons in general practice (whole-time appointments), listed in the RCVS Report for the year ending 31 March 2003, is 11,946. This figure excludes those veterinary surgeons working in Government Service (including Defra, DARDNI and Scottish Agricultural Colleges), universities, research councils, industry and commerce and charities and trusts.
§ Mr. Paul MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the average percentage profit per prescription issued by a veterinary surgeon was in each of the last five years. [121856]
§ Mr. BradshawI have been asked to reply.
This Department does not record this information. However, section 6 of the Competition Commission Report on Prescription Only Medicines www.competition-commission.org.uk/inquiries/completed/2003/veterinary/ index.htm contains an estimate of the annual profits made from the sale of drugs, pet foods and accessories by an average practice in 2001. The figure is based on data from surveys carried out for the Commission.
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§ Mr. Paul MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the average profit per veterinary practice on the sale of prescription only medicines was in each of the last five years. [121857]
§ Mr. BradshawI have been asked to reply.
This Department does not record this information. However, section 6 of the Competition Commission Report on Prescription Only Medicines www.competition-commission.org.uk/inquiries/completed/2003/veterinary/ index.htm contains indications of annual profits made by an average practice in 2001 based on surveys carried out for the report.
§ Mr. Paul MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the average profit for each veterinary practice was in the last 12 months. [121859]
§ Mr. BradshawI have been asked to reply.
This Department does not record this information. However, the BMRB2 survey for the Competition Commission Report on Prescription Only Medicines calculated an average net profit per partner of 82,000 for small-animal veterinary practices and £70,000 for mixed practices in 2001.