Effects on the UK economy

In 1983 drugs supplied to the National Health Service amounted to a value of 1 588 m, at manufacturers prices, which was 10.2% of the cost of the whole NHS. Drug costs as a percentage of the NHS budget have varied little in the last two decades. In addition 330 m worth of household medicines were sold in the UK. Pharmaceutical imports amounted to 470 m whereas exports were 1 074 m, leaving a positive trade balance of 604 m. 

For companies selling their products overseas separate price or profit negotiations have to be made with several separate national pricing autho- 

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