HC Deb 02 December 1968 vol 774 cc1015-6
14. Mr. Fortescue

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will reconsider his recent policy of deciding on a re-imbursable price for prescription drugs based on the price of imported products presented in simple forms, in view of its discouraging effect on the main British-based pharmaceutical companies.

Mr. Ennals

I take it that the hon. Member has in mind those few drugs which are prescribed by generic name and which are marketed only under brand names and at more than one price. My right hon. Friend sees no reason to alter the long-standing practice of fixing the reimbursable price of these drugs on the assumption that chemists will have bought the lowest priced brand generally available. He has, however, decided to make a change in the form in which the reimbursable price is notified to avoid mentioning any brand by name.

Mr. Fortescue

Now that the imperative need for the saving of imports has been made all the more dramatic by the Government's recent actions, would not the Minister of State agree that the dispensers' reimbursement fee should in future be based upon the much reduced prices of the old established and reputable British-made brands rather than on doubtful and untried imported brands?

Mr. Ennals

The hon. Gentleman would be wrong in assuming that the cheapest brand is always the imported brand. He must also recognise that, while we must watch the balance of payments, we must also watch the cost, and our anxiety is to see not only that the appropriate and suitable drug is available but that we get value for money.

Mr. Maurice Macmillan

Will the Minister of State give two undertakings to the House; first, that any use of cheaper imports, or cheaper home manufacture for that matter, does not result in a narrower range of preparations being available, that is to say, only in the more simple form of capsules and tablets; secondly, to watch for any fall off in safety or efficacy, as happened some years ago in the case of a tetracycline syrup for children?

Mr. Ennals

I will watch both these matters, but the changes to which I referred in my answer will have neither of these implications.