Written Assembly Questions tabled on 15 November 2013 for answer on 22 November 2013
R - Signifies the Member has declared an interest.
W - Signifies that the question was tabled in Welsh.
(Self identifying Question no. shown in brackets)
To ask the Minister for Health and Social Services
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister disclose the cost to the Welsh NHS for the purchase of (a) generic penicillin, (b) paracetamol and (c) simvastatin, giving the cost by unit or per typical prescription? (WAQ65925)
Answer received on 21 November 2013
Mark Drakeford: Information regarding prescriptions dispensed in Wales is published annually by the Welsh Government. This information includes details of the number of prescriptions, quantity, cost and average cost per prescription of all medicines dispensed in Wales. The most recent information can be accessed at:
http://wales.gov.uk/statistics-and-research/prescriptions-dispensed-community/?lang=en
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister disclose the average cost to the Welsh NHS for a community pharmacist to dispense an item under prescription? (WAQ65926)
Answer received on 21 November 2013
Mark Drakeford: All prescriptions attract a professional fee of 90 pence plus a container allowance of 1.24 pence. However, additional fees are applicable in specified circumstances, these will depend on the item being dispensed. A list of dispensing fees payable to pharmacy contractors can be found in Part IIIA of the current Drug Tariff at The November 2013 Electronic Drug Tariff
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister confirm the average cost to the Welsh NHS of a GP appointment? (WAQ65927)
Answer received on 25 November 2013
Mark Drakeford: Based on estimated patient contacts, which includes routine GP appointments, emergency GP consultations, GP home visits and GP telephone consultations, the estimated cost of a single patient contact is approximately £20.
The Welsh Government does not collect information directly in a format which corresponds with the question asked. The figure of £20 is derived from approximations based on data collected for other purposes.
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): With reference to WAQ65891, when does the Minister envisage online access to medical records being introduced and when will the wider consultation on access to medical records be concluded and its findings presented to the Minister? (WAQ65928)
Answer received on 25 November 2013
Mark Drakeford: Previous patient research indicated little demand for record access, with the majority giving priority to online appointments and repeat prescription requests. We are planning to update the research to establish the priorities for online services going forward, and this will commence during 2014.
Providing patients with access to their GP records is a complex undertaking that takes into account ethical and information governance concerns, including privacy and security of data, and requires the collaboration of GPs.
To further inform Wales's approach, we will work closely with other UK home countries to monitor developments in on-line services for patients.