Written question asked by Lord Grayling (Conservative) on Tuesday, 4 November 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 20 November 2003. It was answered by Lord Hutton of Furness (Labour) on Thursday, 20 November 2003 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of the change in cost to the National Health Service drug budget resulting from the focus on priority therapeutic areas, as outlined in the new general practitioner contract.

Answer: Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the change in cost to the national health service drug budget resulting from the focus on priority therapeutic areas, as outlined in the new general practitioner contract. [137361] Mr. Hutton: The Quality and Outcomes Framework which is part of the new General Medical Services Contract is just one of a variety of related policy initiatives that will impact on the national health service drug budget in the future. The publication of national services frameworks and determinations by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence are other examples. The NHS will take these and other factors into account when modelling future resource provision.

Secondary information