Press release: PCT Network responds to the PAC report on prescribing costs in primary care
17 Jan 2008
Commenting on the report, David Stout, Director of the PCT Network which represents the majority of Primary Care Trusts said:
"Primary Care Trusts work hard to provide high quality and cost-effective treatment for patients. Variation in prescribing patterns has reduced over time, but significant variations do remain. There are several reasons why variations occur, and these sometimes reflect the local population. PCTs are continuing to address this issue with initiatives such as incentive schemes and practice based commissioning to improve cost and clinically effective prescribing.
"Transparency is extremely important to the public, and we would be interested in further exploration of a publicly available annual register which identifies gifts and hospitality provided by pharmaceutical companies. While this information is currently made available, it could be reported as part of the annual returns to PCTS and made public. However, consideration would need to be given to the practicalities of how this would be implemented.
"As a principle, the NHS Confederation would like to see more information on the cost of all services made available to patients and clinicians. When medication is dispensed for free or a charge not related to the cost, it is easy to forget how expensive treatments can be. Every pound wasted on a drug where an equally effective and cheaper alternative is available and clinically appropriate, is a pound that could be spent on another patient. If the public were made more aware of the cost of drugs to the NHS, this could result in less waste and make prescribed treatments more effective. "
ENDS
Notes for editors
1. The PCT Network represents the majority of primary care trusts in England. It was established in December 2006 to provide a distinct voice for PCTs. The Network is part of the NHS Confederation;
2. The NHS Confederation represents more than 95% of the organisations that make up the NHS. Its members include the majority of NHS acute trusts, ambulance trusts, foundation trusts, mental health trusts, primary care trusts, special health authorities and strategic health authorities in England; trusts and local health boards in Wales; and health and social service trusts and boards in Northern Ireland.
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