HC Deb 07 December 1959 vol 615 cc20-1
44. Mr. E. Fletcher

asked the Minister of Health what advice his Department is giving to the medical profession with regard to the drug H.3 discovered by Professor Anna Aslan of Roumania; and whether it is intended to make supplies of the drug available in this country.

Mr. Walker-Smith

No general advice has been given about this particular substance, and I am not aware of any plans for making it generally available in this country, but its constituents are in common medical use.

Mr. Fletcher

Is the Minister aware that the announcement of this drug has given rise to a good deal of speculation and expectation among various sections of the community? Is it not desirable that there should be an authoritative pronouncement about it?

Mr. Walker-Smith

The hon. Member may have seen the leading article in the British Medical Journal, which is an authoritative contribution in this context. I am advised that there is at present no satisfactory evidence of the value of this drug as a medicament against the infirmities of old age. If it becomes generally available for use in this country, it will be classified for therapeutic purposes by the Committee under the chairmanship of Lord Cohen of Birkenhead.

Dr. Summerskill

Is this not an illustration of what I asked the Minister on the earlier Question? Is it not wiser for the Minister or his Department to make a statement when a Press conference has given publicity to the efficacy of a drug such as this, which reduces the symptoms of senility, and, in consequence, means a rush of old people to doctors asking them for it or something similar to it? Is the Minister aware that although novocain and procain have been given and both are similar in effect, nevertheless it is important for an authoritative statement to he made in respect of this drug, and not only in the British Medical Journal?

Mr. Walker-Smith

Our procedure is that these drugs are tested for their therapeutic quality by the Committee under the chairmanship of Lord Cohen of Birkenhead when they are submitted to it. That would be the procedure to be followed in this case. No Minister could ever hope to keep pace with everything that appears in the Press.