Written question asked by Ian Lucas (Labour) on Tuesday, 15 June 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 7 July 2004. It was answered by Melanie Johnson (Labour) on Wednesday, 7 July 2004 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what proportion of agar plates procured by NHS laboratories were supplied by PHLS Media Services in 2003; what the average cost is of agar plates (a) purchased from PHLS Media Services and (b) purchased from private sector suppliers. - Inc figures.

Answer: Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what proportion of agar plates procured by NHS laboratories were supplied by PHLS Media Services in 2003; [179387] (2) what the average cost is of agar plates purchased from (a) PHLS Media Services and (b) private sector suppliers. [179389] Miss Melanie Johnson: In 2003, PHLS Media Services provided approximately 27 per cent. of the agar plates used by the national health service. The average cost of plates provided to the NHS and the Health Protection Agency by PHLS Media Services during 2003 was £2.10 per pack of 10. Information on the cost of plates provided by private sector suppliers is not collected centrally.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 423 c731W; 179387;179389
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Costs Health Procurement Medical devices Public Health Laboratory Service Research
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk