Written question asked by Baroness Smith of Basildon (Labour) on Wednesday, 5 July 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 12 July 2000. It was answered by Baroness Stuart of Edgbaston (Labour) on Wednesday, 12 July 2000 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many prescriptions for Ritalin were issued in each year since 1991; and at what cost. - Inc table.

Answer: Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many prescriptions for Ritalin were issued in each year since 1991; and at what cost. [129959] Ms Stuart: The information requested is shown in the table. Number of prescription items and net ingredient cost of Methylphenidate Hydrochloride (Ritalin) dispensed in the community, 1991 to 1999 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. England Prescription items (thousand) Net ingredient cost (£000) 1991 2.0 11.7 1992 2.6 16.5 1993 3.5 25.7 1994 6.0 52.3 1995 14.7 253.0 1996 47.9 811.7 1997 92.1 1,636.5 1998 126.6 2,402.8 1999 158.0 3,100.3 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Notes: 1. The data cover all prescriptions dispensed in the community, ie by community pharmacists and appliance contractors, dispensing doctors, and prescriptions submitted by prescribing doctors for items personally administered in England. 2. The data do not cover drugs dispensed in hospital or private prescriptions. 3. The net ingredient costs is the basic cost of a drug and does not take account of discounts, dispensing costs, fees or prescription charges income.

Secondary information