​National Service Frameworks are among various Government initiatives to boost healthcare in the UK and to increase spending in a carefully targeted way - and they have helped prompt a rise in the prescribing of medicines, as these are one of the most cost and clinically effective ways to treat illness.

"But although overall spending on medicines has grown over the past year, the growth in branded medicines has been modest," said Dr Trevor Jones, Director General of the ABPI. "Most of the expenditure has gone on generic medicines, and parallel imports are also costing the NHS an increasing amount."

While the Government statistics show that the medicines bill has increased 8.5 per cent in real terms, ABPI figures indicate that the growth of branded medicines - excluding parallel imported products - is under 3.5 per cent.

"This growth is predictable and in line with what estimates have indicated given the Government's determination to improve healthcare provision through the NHS," said Dr Jones. "Prescription medicines continue to offer the country excellent value for money and have a major role to play in improved health outcomes for the people of Britain."

For further information, please contact: ABPI Press Office 020 7747 1410