What the average cost of a (a) National Health Service prescription and (b) private prescription was in each year since 1979.

The following table showsthe National Health Service Prescription charges levied from patients since1979 and the average net ingredient cost of a prescription item since 1979.
Information on the averagecost of private prescriptions is not held centrally. The level of fees that the pharmacist charges fordispensing private prescriptions is not regulated by any body or organisation;it is a private transaction between the pharmacist and their customer. Therefore, the costs incurred are set by the individualpharmacy or pharmacy chain.
NationalHealth Service Prescription charges and Average Net Ingredient cost per dispensed prescription1
Year ending
31 March
| Cost of
NHS Prescription
£
| Average Net2 Ingredient
Cost (£)
| Year ending
31 March
| Cost of
NHS Prescription
£
| Average Net2 Ingredient Cost (£)

1979
| 0.45
| 2.11
| 1993
| 4.25
| 6.76

1980
| 0.70
| 2.53
| 1994
| 4.75
| 7.09

1981
| 1.00
| 2.91
| 1995
| 5.25
| 7.55

1982
| 1.30
| 3.22
| 1996
| 5.50
| 7.98

1983
| 1.40
| 3.55
| 1997
| 5.65
| 8.42

1984
| 1.60
| 3.75
| 1998
| 5.80
| 8.91

1985
| 2.00
| 3.94
| 1999
| 5.90
| 9.26

1986
| 2.20
| 4.22
| 2000
|