How much has been spent on the minor ailments scheme in each of the last five years, and how many people have received support from the ser…

Answered Asked by Jackie Baillie Lab Lodged 3 Jun 2021

The question

To ask the Scottish Government how much has been spent on the minor ailments scheme in each of the last five years, and how many people have received support from the service.

The answer

Answered by Maree Todd on 17 Jun 2021 · 14 days after it was lodged, on time

Table 1 shows the Number of Items dispensed, Gross Ingredient Cost (GIC) of dispensed items, remuneration cost for provision of the service, and patient registration numbers for the Minor Ailment Service (MAS) in each of the last five financial years.
MAS data for April to June 2020, is due for publication by Public Health Scotland in the Dispenser Payments and Prescription Cost Analysis report, due for release on 21st September 2021. From 29 July 2020, MAS was replaced by NHS Pharmacy First Scotland.
Table 1. Minor Ailment Service, Items, GIC, Remuneration, and Registration Numbers by Financial Year
Year
Number of items
Gross Ingredient Cost (£)

Remuneration (Service Cost) (£)

Registration Numbers

2015-16
2,157,603

5,133,874

15,114,295

946,804

2016-17
2,036,677

4,882,579

15,077,548

879,628

2017-18
1,940,276

4,657,780

14,449,870

814,501

2018-19
1,877,902

4,600,135

14,218,011

795,965

2019-20
1,831,041

4,500,504

14,056,579

771,283

Source: Public Health Scotland

In the Official Report

No contribution in the Official Report cites S6W-00454 by reference.