UNNECESSARY PRESCRIPTIONS PROVIDE MASSIVE SUBSIDY TO DRUG COMPANIES - LAMB

12.01.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 18th May 2007

Norman Lamb has commented on today's National Audit Office report showing that the NHS could save £200 million through more efficient prescription of drugs and medicines, saying that spending hundreds of millions of pounds on costly branded medicines amounts to "a massive hidden subsidy to drug companies."

The Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary and Member of Parliament for North Norfolk Norman Lamb went on to say:

"Trusts around the country are refusing to fund drugs that people desperately need yet so much money is being wasted by costly prescribing of branded medicines. Hundreds of millions of pounds are also being wasted on medicines that are never used. Pharmacists can play a vital role in tackling this waste.

"This Government has a poor track record at securing value for money in the NHS. We need to look closely at what savings can be made so that people with real and pressing needs get the treatments that could transform their lives."