§ 22. Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas Mooreasked the Minister of Health what quantity of the new American drug cortisone has been imported during the quarter ended 31st March, 1951; and how far this amount has fallen short of medical requirements.
§ Mr. MarquandOne thousand five hundred grammes of cortisone were purchased by my Department from the American manufacturers during the quarter ended 31st March, 1951. As the use of this scarce drug is still experimental, requirements cannot be estimated, but we are importing all the manufacturers can make available.
§ Sir T. MooreBut does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that, as far as is known at present, this drug is the only known one that can relieve the painful malady of arthritis, and will he not either obtain the release of further dollars for such quantities of the drug as are available, or else encourage its manufacture in this country?
§ Mr. MarquandIt is not a shortage of dollars that is the limitation; there is export control in the United States of America.