Written question asked by Christopher Chope (Conservative) on Wednesday, 12 January 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 25 January 2000. It was answered by Baroness Stuart of Edgbaston (Labour) on Tuesday, 25 January 2000 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what is the current annual cost to the National Health Service of methadone; and what is the latest estimate of the number of patients in each health authority area being prescribed methadone. - Including figure and fact that number of patients is not available.

Answer: Mr. Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the current annual cost to the National Health Service of methadone; and what is the latest estimate of the number of patients in each health authority area being prescribed methadone. [105257] Ms Stuart: The net ingredient cost of prescription items dispensed in the community for methadone hydrochloride in England in 1998 was £10.8 million. Information on methadone dispensed in hospitals or drug treatment clinics and the number of patients receiving prescribed methadone in each health authority is not available.

Secondary information