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Heroin

Volume 455: debated on Monday 22 January 2007

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much the National Health Service spent on the purchase of heroin for medicinal purposes in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available; and if she will make a statement. (114554)

Heroin is known as diamorphine when used for medical purposes. Figures for use in the community are available for 1996 to 2005. Figures for use in hospitals are only available for 2001 to 2005.

£ 000

Community dispensing—net ingredient cost

Estimated hospital cost

Estimated total

1996

3,822.9

1997

3,747.5

1998

3,808.1

1999

3,693.3

2000

3,553.1

2001

3,287.1

3,945.9

7,233.1

2002

3,312.0

3,898.4

7,210.4

2003

3,686.4

4,052.2

7,738.6

2004

3,974.2

3,724.9

7,699.1

2005

1,802.9

1,709.8

3,512.6

The use in 2005 was affected by production problems at a major manufacturer.