HC Deb 26 March 1953 vol 513 c825
32. Mr. Bence

asked the President of the Board of Trade what limitations are placed on the importation of cortisone.

The President of the Board of Trade (Mr. Peter Thorneycroft)

Licences permitting private commercial imports of finished cortisone are not at present being issued. Supplies are purchased by the Ministry of Health for continuing clinical research and for use in selected hospitals where treatment can be strictly supervised.

Mr. Bence

Would the right hon. Gentleman impress upon his right hon. Friend that it is not much use having people in hospital and giving them this treatment, which I understand is excellent treatment, if it is to be discontinued once the patients leave hospital?

Mr. Thorneycroft

I understand that the Ministry of Health still consider it necessary to control the use of this drug very carefully, as the knowledge of its long-term effects are so far incomplete. The Ministry of Health think that they can ensure that treatment is adequately supervised only if it is carried out in this way for the present.