§ 68. Mr. T. J. Brooksasked the Minister of Health in view of the serious incidence of new cases of tuberculosis and the high 1206 death rate associated with this disease, what steps are being taken to import supplies of the drug streptomycin from the U.S.A.; and what efforts are being made for its manufacture in this country.
§ Mr. BevanI am informed that American production of streptomycin is too small to permit export to this country. Arrangements are being made with the Ministry of Supply and the Medical Research Council to set on foot the manufacture in Great Britain of sufficient streptomycin for adequate clinical trials.
§ Mr. BrooksIs my right hon. Friend aware that the person who inspired this Question is already suffering in a sanatorium, and is very anxious to get this treatment?
§ Mr. BevanI am very anxious that before this drug is adopted it shall be clinically tried out, and that all that is claimed for it shall be established. That is now being done.
§ Dr. MorganWill the Minister see that the testing of this excellent drug is done in a more widespread manner than is usually evailable within the offices of the Medical Research Council?
§ Mr. BevanI think that the Medical Research Council are prefectly competent to carry out these trials.
§ Dr. MorganAre they?
§ Mr. BevanI think they are. They have established their reputation. A considerable clinical test is being carried out, and it is surely rather premature to describe a drug as excellent before it has been clinically tested.
§ Dr. MorganIt has been tested in America.
§ Dr. Stephen TaylorCan my right hon. Friend say whether the American manufacturing firm concerned has revealed the method of manufacture, or have we to work that out ourselves?
§ Mr. BevanI cannot answer that at the moment. If my hon. Friend will put down a question, I will see what I can do to answer it.