68. Mr. David Adamsasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that, in 1937, a Select Committee of this House estimated that the amount spent each year in the United Kingdom on patent medicines was between £20,000,000 and £28,000,000, as against an annual expenditure upon drugs under the National Health Insurance scheme of only £2,500,000; and whether, in view of this 854 persistence of unskilled and often dangerous self-treatment, he will consider changes in the law whereby drugs sold under a proprietary name shall at least be regulated as stringently as ordinary foods and drugs are under the Food and Drugs Act, 1875?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health (Mr. Bernays)I am not sure exactly what change in the law the hon. Member has in mind, but I would refer him to Clause 6 of the Food and Drugs Bill now before Parliament which not only strengthens the present law regarding labels issued with drugs, but also applies to advertisements containing false descriptions of drugs or misleading statements as to their nature, substance or quality.
§ Mr. GallacherIn view of the fact that many ignorant people are poisoning not only themselves, but their children and destroying their health, will special measures be taken to stop this sale of patent medicines?
§ Mr. BernaysWe are taking steps to deal with it, as the hon. Member will see if he will look at the new Food and Drugs Bill.
§ Mr. BernaysI shall be glad if, after the hon. Gentleman has looked at the Bill, he will be good enough to have a word with me if it does not meet the point he has raised.