§ 12. Dr. Strossasked the Minister of Health whether he will make a statement on the work conducted by the World Health Organisation towards the eradication of leprosy, particularly by the use of sulphone drugs; and to what extent the cost of treatment is a limiting factor.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health (Mr. J. K. Vaughan-Morgan)The Organisation's Programme and Regular Budgets for 1957 and 1958 provide for assistance to leprosy control in several countries. The Organisation will also take part in the Seventh International Conference on Leprology at New Delhi in 1958. The Director-General has recently reported on improved prospects for control with the use of sulphone drugs, but has pointed out that many technical problems remain. The money available to the Organisation and its general activities are determined by member countries at the World Health Assembly.
§ Dr. StrossCan the Minister state what are the technical limitations? Is it fair to say that, in the main, we are not yet able to take the treatment to the patient in all cases, but that it is easy for the patient to go to the centre for treatment? If that is the case, is not there any method by which a number of countries could be encouraged to find greater financial aid, so that the World Health Organisation could extend its activities?
§ Mr. Vaughan-MorganI do not want to get too involved in the technicalities of the matter, but I know that eradication is not yet regarded as practicable. The actual problems to which the Director-General referred concerned such questions as optimum drug preparation and dosage schedules, diagnostic techniques, criteria of infectivity, and so forth. If the hon. Member has any other particulars upon which he wants information, I will obtain it.
§ Mr. BlenkinsopDoes the right hon. Gentleman realise that there is a very 878 urgent need for more finance for this work? I saw some of it in the East a short while ago. As long as we refuse to contribute to other world health funds, a great deal of the resources of the World Health Organisation has to be channelled into these other purposes, which could very well be more concentrated upon leprosy work.
§ Mr. Vaughan-MorganWe should bear in mind the fact that the United Kingdom is one of the largest contributors to these international bodies.
§ 13. Dr. Strossasked the Minister of Health what would be the approximate cost of suplhone drugs required for the treatment of a case of leprosy for a period of two years.
§ Mr. Vaughan-MorganThe basic cost of the drugs will depend on the method of administration. If given in tablet form, which is the usual method in this country, it would be about 12s. If given by injection the cost would be at least 50 per cent. more.
§ Dr. StrossThat means that for a few shillings we can cure cases of leprosy if we can get the patients at the centres. Is not that a most helpful thing, and should not Her Majesty's Government do what they always have done in the past, set an example to the other member countries and find as much finance as is possible so that everyone is able to get treatment?
§ Mr. Vaughan-MorganWe must look at this matter in proportion. There are other diseases with which the World Health Organisation has to deal, and I think we should leave it to the Organisation to work out the priorities.