HC Deb 22 April 2004 vol 420 c618W
Dr. Stoate

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what data collection systems are in place to record the(a) number and (b) costs of drugs for dementia supplied to acute and mental health trusts; [166549]

(2) what steps he is taking to ensure that accurate out-turn figures are available for the (a) number and (b) costs of drugs for dementia supplied to acute and mental health trusts; [166550]

(3) if he will discuss with acute and mental health trusts the provision of systems to ensure accurate out-turn figures for the (a) number and (b) costs of drugs for dementia supplied to acute and mental health trusts. [166551]

Dr. Ladyman

In 2002–03 national health service trusts in England spent £1,942.8 million on the purchase of medicines, including medical gases. Detail of the break down of this figure into different therapeutic classes of medicines is not available.

The national programme for information technology is charged with delivering the IT strategy for the NHS. Details were set out in "Delivering 21st Century IT Support for the NHS". The implementation of this national IT strategy will enable the collection and analysis of more detailed information on the use of medicines by the NHS.