§ 12. Mrs. Mannasked the Minister of Health if he will make a statement regarding the availability and supply of cortisone or its chemical equivalent for the patients of British doctors.
§ Mr. CrookshankCortisone has not yet been made in this country. The maximum quantities which can be made available by the American manufacturers are imported by my Department and distributed for continuing clinical research and for hospital treatment of cases which, on medical grounds, most need it. Fifty-five hospitals in England and Wales are receiving cortisone for use on this basis. No chemical substitute for cortisone has yet been developed for clinical use.
§ Mrs. MannIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that research is going on at present into chemical substitutes from coal and also from a certain plant? Could he say whether we are taking any part in that research?
§ Mr. CrookshankIf it has to do with research in coal the hon. Lady should ask my right hon. Friend the Minister of Fuel and Power. All I know at present is that no chemical substitute has yet been developed.