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HoC Answers - 02.07.10
Parallel Trading and Manufacturers' Quotas
Mr Sanders (Liberal Democrat, Torbay): To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what estimate he has made of the cost savings to the NHS attributable to parallel trading in each of the last three financial years; (2) what estimate his Department has made of the effect on NHS costs of manufacturers' quotas on medicines and drugs and of restrictions on the parallel importation of drugs and medicines in the last three years.
Mr Simon Burns (Conservative, Chelmsford): Costs and savings to the national health service attributable to parallel trading and manufacturers' quotas are not separately identifiable. The Department is unaware of any restrictions placed on the parallel importing of drugs and medicines. To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent discussions he has had with pharmaceutical manufacturers on their quotas for the supply of medicines and drugs to the NHS in England. Departmental officials regularly meet with supply chain and manufacturer representatives to discuss issues affecting the supply of medicines.
Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment his Department has made of the number of patients who had to wait more than 48 hours to be dispensed medicines after presenting prescriptions to a pharmacy or dispensing doctor in the latest period for which figures are available; (2) what assessment his Department has made of the effect on the wholesale and retail pharmaceutical sector of manufacturers' quotas for the supply of medicines and drugs in England.
Mr Simon Burns: We are aware of various issues that are causing supply difficulties and delays to the dispensing of some medicines and manufacturers, wholesalers and pharmacists are making additional efforts to ensure patients get their medicines when they need them. While no assessment has been made of the number of patients affected by these issues, the Department continues to work collaboratively with supply chain organisations to explore further measures to help alleviate the situation.
Posted 2 July 2010