asked the Minister for Health the estimated average cost per prescription per patient in the UK for each available year from 1972 and the comparable estimated cost in the Republic of Ireland for the same period; if separate estimated prescription costs per patient per annum are available for each health board area; and, if so, if he will state these costs.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Prescription Costs.
39.
As the reply is in the form of a tabular statement I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to circulate it with the Official Report. The Deputy will understand that the figures are not directly comparable since the scope of the services and methods of payment differ considerably.
I would like to add that the General Medical Services Payments Board will shortly publish a report covering the years 1973 and 1974 which will contain further statistical information regarding the scheme.
Following is the information requested:
|
Area |
Prescribing cost per patient |
|
|
1973 |
1974 |
|
|
£ |
£ |
|
|
Health Boards: |
||
|
Eastern |
10.49 |
10.71 |
|
Midland |
7.17 |
8.88 |
|
Mid-Western |
8.23 |
9.72 |
|
North Eastern |
8.06 |
9.71 |
|
North Western |
6.86 |
8.42 |
|
South Eastern |
6.96 |
8.39 |
|
Southern |
8.63 |
9.90 |
|
Western |
7.57 |
9.27 |
|
Ireland |
8.38 |
9.61 |
|
Northern Ireland |
6.57 |
7.56 |
|
England and Wales |
5.23 |
6.08 |
|
Scotland |
4.90 |
5.88 |
1. This table shows the costs based on the original schedule of fees and allowances to pharmacists in the GMS. Calculations on the basis of the revised fees recently agreed will not be available until the end of this year. The 1974 figures for the United Kingdom includes increases in fees and allowances.
2. The figures given in respect of each health board were obtained by dividing the total cost of prescriptions for that board's area by the number of eligible patients excluding those persons to whom doctors dispense medicines directly.
3. As the scheme came into operation in two stages during 1972 figures for that year would not be comparable to those given for 1973 and 1974 and are therefore omitted.