Drugs Budget

Question Time — scottish executive – in the Scottish Parliament at 2:30 pm on 25 November 1999.

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Photo of Mary Scanlon Mary Scanlon Conservative 2:30, 25 November 1999

To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to ensure that the NHS drugs budget for 1999-2000 is adequate to cover the increasing costs of "patient packs". (S1O-712)

Photo of Susan Deacon Susan Deacon Labour

The 1999-2000 unified allocations to health boards included £610 million in respect of general practice and dental prescribing. That sum is considered adequate to meet current projected costs.

Photo of Mary Scanlon Mary Scanlon Conservative

Is the minister satisfied that the patient pack is appropriate in every situation? Given the added problems with generic drugs, will increasing costs lead to the rationing of drug prescriptions?

Photo of Susan Deacon Susan Deacon Labour

The Executive is always concerned to ensure that patients receive the best and most appropriate information. We also comply with the relevant European directive. We believe that it is important that decisions about drugs and other treatments are right and are considered openly. That is why I am pleased this week to have announced the establishment of the Scottish health technology assessment centre, which will take forward work in that area.