National Health Service (Charges)

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 3:37 pm on 29 February 1988.

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Photo of Mr Tony Banks Mr Tony Banks , Newham North West 3:37, 29 February 1988

Will the Minister tell the House why the price of medicines has gone up so much? He announced an 8 per cent. increase in prescription charges, which is twice the rate of inflation, and he said that that was because of the increase in the price of medicines. Is that not indicative of the excessive profits being made by the pharmaceutical industry? Is it not true that if he took steps to prevent that industry from creaming off money from British taxpayers he would have more money at his disposal to devote to primary health care?