To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average prescription cost of a colostomy bag.
This information is not available. The average net ingredient cost of prescribing a colostomy bag in 1992 was £1·84.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total cost to the NHS in each of the past years of providing colostomy bags on prescription.
This information is not available centrally. The net ingredient cost of prescribing colostomy bags in England for the last 10 years was:
Year | Net Ingredient Cost (£ million) |
1982 | 4·1 |
1983 | 6·2 |
1984 | 7·1 |
1985 | 11·3 |
1986 | 13·2 |
1987 | 15·7 |
1988 | 16·3 |
1989 | 19·5 |
1990 | 21·1 |
19911 | 23·8 |
19912 | 24·8 |
1992 | 28·0 |
Notes:
1 1982 to 1991 data cover prescriptions dispensed by community pharmacists and appliance contractors only.
2 1991 and 1992 data cover prescriptions dispensed by community pharmacists and appliance contractors, dispensing doctors, and prescriptions submitted by prescribing doctors for items personally administered.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average production cost of a colostomy bag; and what discussion has been held with the pharmaceutical industry to ensure an adequate and economic supply of colostomy bags to those who require this facility.
Information on the production costs of colostomy bags is not available. The Department takes into account the cost of products, as well as their general availability, when deciding whether to add individual products to the general practitioner prescribable list or to keep them on the list. If the hon. Member has a particular problem in mind, he may wish to write to me about it.