Written question asked by David Laws (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 2 February 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 9 February 2004. It was answered by Baroness Winterton of Doncaster (Labour) on Monday, 9 February 2004 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the cost to the NHS of prescribing (a) anti-depressant drugs and (b) Ritalin was for each year since 1985-86; what his estimate is of the cost for 2003-04; and if he will make a statement. (Tables in Library Dep 04/346).

Answer: Mr. Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost to the NHS of prescribing (a) anti- depressant drugs and (b) Ritalin was for each year since 1985-86; what his estimate is of the cost for 2003-04; and if he will make a statement. [153017] Ms Rosie Winterton: Information on the number of prescription items and the net ingredient cost of all anti- depressant drugs, and all Ritalin drugs dispensed in the community in England, from 1985 to 2003-04 (April to September only) has been placed in the Library. The Department of Health does not estimate prescription figures. However, data for both antidepressant drugs and for Methylphenidate Hydrochloride appear to be a rising trend, and the data for the first half of 2003-04 suggest that the total 2003-04 figure will be higher than the 2002-03 figure.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 417 c1200W; 153017
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Costs Finance Prescription drugs Prescriptions Methylphenidate Antidepressants
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk