Hospital Pharmacist
2006;13:150
May 2006

News summary

More generics should be used

Using more generic drugs has been highlighted by Sir Ian Carruthers, acting NHS chief executive, as a way of decreasing the annual £10.3bn drugs bill. Sir Ian’s comment was made as he was outlining a financial turnaround plan for the NHS at a seminar at 10 Downing Street last month. In particular, he believes that too many hospitals have a misplaced brand loyalty that increases costs. Drug spending as a whole accounts for 11 per cent of the total NHS budget, with staff salaries accounting for 65 per cent.