2019/07/10 Stevens R

Please find the answer to your questions on the attached document.  We are unable to provide the total cost for the 6 month period for each medicine to the Trust as this information is commercial in confidence.  This information is exempt under section 43 (commercial interests) of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), as the information would be likely to prejudice the commercial interests of those involved.

Section 43 is a qualified exemption which means the Trust must undertake a public interest test.  East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust has considered the public interest in disclosing this information and while it is in the public interest to disclose information that informs the public of how we spend our money, especially where this relates to the provision of public services, we have determined that the prejudice arising from disclosure outweighs the benefit to the public in this instance.  Disclosure of the spend value for the past 6 months along with the number of packs procured and pack size would provide the unit price for the medicine which could result in a competitive disadvantage to the supplier and could damage the supplier’s and the Trust’s commercial interests.