The United Kingdom spends less per person on prescription medicines than most other European countries, according to the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry. In the 2000 edition of its "Pharma facts and figures" booklet, published on December 20, 1999, the ABPI says that in 1995-96, the latest year for which figures are available, spending on prescription medicines was £87 per person in the UK, compared with £171 in France and £170 in Germany. Spending was also higher than the UK in Sweden, Portugal, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium and Spain.
Pharma facts and figures. Publications Department, ABPI, 12 Whitehall, London SW1A 2DY (tel 020 7930 3477).