Asthma: Drugs

Mark Hunter
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate his Department has made of the potential cost savings consequent on full implementation of the 2008 National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidance on inhaled corticosteroids for the treatment of chronic asthma.

Ann Keen
The Department has made no such estimate. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has published costing reports alongside its two technology appraisals relating to the use of corticosteroids in the treatment of chronic asthma in adults and children. The costing reports are published on NICE'S website at:

http://guidance.nice.org.uk/TA138

Mark Hunter
To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much he spent on metered dose inhalers in (a) 2007-08 and (b) 2008-09.

Mr. Mike O'Brien
The net ingredient cost of metered dose inhalers (including pressurised metered dose inhalers and dry powder inhalers) together with refills was £773.7 million in 2007-08 and £833.6 million in 2008-09. Figures are taken from the Prescription Cost Analysis system, supplied by the Prescription Services Division of the NHS Business Services Authority.

Metered dose inhalers are defined by those listed within British National Formulary sections 3.1 Bronchodilators, 3.2 Corticosteroids and 3.3 Cromoglaticate and related therapy and leukotriene receptor antagonists.