§ Mr. LawsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost to the NHS of prescribing(a) anti-depressant drugs and (b) Ritalin was for each year since 1985–86; what his estimate is of the cost for 2003–04; and if he will make a statement. [153017]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonInformation on the number of prescription items and the net ingredient cost of all anti-depressant drugs, and all Ritalin drugs dispensed in the community in England, from 1985 to 2003–04 (April to September only) has been placed in the Library.
The Department of Health does not estimate prescription figures. However, data for both antidepressant drugs and for Methylphenidate Hydrochloride appear to be a rising trend, and the data for the first half of 2003–04 suggest that the total 2003–04 figure will be higher than the 2002–03 figure.