HC Deb 05 March 1953 vol 512 c549
25. Sir T. Moore

asked the Minister of Health what arrangements he has now been able to make for the production and distribution of cortisone in this country.

Mr. Iain Macleod

Production of cortisone has started but output is not yet sufficient to meet current needs. Distribution is restricted to selected hospitals, and I hope gradually to increase the quantities issued.

Sir T. Moore

My right hon. Friend is no doubt aware that this drug is commonly regarded as the best known antidote to the very painful and prevalent malady of arthritis; and, therefore, will he do everything he can to facilitate its increased production in this country so as to make it available as far as possible to the general public and not only to the hospitals as at present?

Mr. Macleod

I must say that on the whole I prefer in these matters to proceed rather cautiously. For all the claims that are made about cortisone there are very considerable unknown dangers in it.

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