Written Question · S2W-09883 · Session 2
What proportion of the total NHS drugs bill has been recovered through prescription charges in each of the last five years for which inform…
The question
To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of the total NHS drugs bill has been recovered through prescription charges in each of the last five years for which information is available, (a) disregarding and (b) after deduction of the cost of collection charges.
The answer
The NHS prescription charge does not relate directly to the cost of the item prescribed or the cost of supplying it. It is a contribution towards the cost of the service as a whole.
The following table details prescription charges collected in each of the last five years as a percentage of the Family Health Service drugs bill for each year. Details of collection costs in respect of individual charges paid when a prescription is presented for dispensing are not held centrally. Net percentages cannot therefore be given.
Year
| Percentage of Drugs Bill Disregarding Cost of Collection of Charges
(%)
1999–2000
| 6.5
2000–01
| 6.2
2001–02
| 6.0
2002–03
| 5.4
2003–04
| 4.9
The following table details prescription charges collected in each of the last five years as a percentage of the Family Health Service drugs bill for each year. Details of collection costs in respect of individual charges paid when a prescription is presented for dispensing are not held centrally. Net percentages cannot therefore be given.
Year
| Percentage of Drugs Bill Disregarding Cost of Collection of Charges
(%)
1999–2000
| 6.5
2000–01
| 6.2
2001–02
| 6.0
2002–03
| 5.4
2003–04
| 4.9
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S2W-09883 by reference.