HC Deb 03 March 1981 vol 1000 cc116-8
Mr. Sheerman

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether the Medicines Inspectorate will inspect all radio pharmaceutical manufacturing units during 1981.

Mr. Norman Atkinson

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many licences to manufacture Pharmaceuticals have been granted by the Committee on Safety of Medicines during the last five years to hospitals before manufacturing inspections have been carried out.

Miss Richardson

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many hospitals are currently approved to manufacture Pharmaceuticals; and how many hospitals are still manufacturing Pharmaceuticals in spite of recommendations by the Medicines Inspectorate for manufacturing to cease at these hospitals.

The Secretary of State for Social Services (Mr. Patrick Jenkin)

Although, as Crown premises, NHS hospitals are not subject to formal arrangements for the issue of licences or to the other requirements of the Medicines Act 1968, they are subject to similar administrative controls.

All the 480 NHS manufacturing units in Great Britain have been inspected and inspections will continue in 1981, including radio pharmaceutical units as appropriate. Eighteen manufacturing units in Great Britain have been recommended to cease manufacture and I am asking for an urgent report on why manufacture has not ceased at each of the eight hospitals in England. In considering the inspectors' reports health authorities must, of course, weigh the risks of continuing to manufacture against the benefits to patients from having preparations available from their own hospital laboratories.

Mr. Sheerman

In view of the present public expenditure cuts, which hit every sector of our community, is the Minister confident that the Medicines Inspectorate is sufficiently staffed for this purpose? Will he bear in mind that there are a large number of establishments, that they should be properly inspected, and that the staff is rather small in number, although the work load is increasing?

Mr. Jenkin

The hon. Gentleman is right. There are difficulties in recruiting to fill some of the vacancies in the inspectorate under the Medicines Act, and this is a matter to which Ministers are giving urgent attention.

Mr. Norman Atkinson

If the Minister will acknowledge that none of us on the Labour Benches would want to generate unnecessary fears among patients, will he at the same time accept that there are some reservations among the inspectors? They would like access to certain hospitals. Both in the report and in any statement that the Minister may make in the near future will he encourage those hospitals to invite inspectors—although recognising that they have no statutory powers—to come in and have a look at the facilities there?

Mr. Jenkin

I am not aware that there has been any problem of inspectors getting access to hospitals that engage in the manufacturing of pharmaceutical preparations, but I take note of what the hon. Gentleman has said.

I am not aware that there has been a series of incidents that would show that medicines manufactured in hospital are a special source of hazard to patients. I have no doubt that the standards of manufacture are a good deal higher than they were a few years ago, and I want to see them all brought up to the highest standard.

Miss Richardson

Is the Secretary of State aware of the difficulties that must face the 18 medicines inspectors who have to visit the 480 hospitals, plus factories? The Minister said that he was concerned about recruitment. Is it a question of recruitment, or one of a lack of resources?

Mr. Jenkin

I said that there was difficulty in filling posts, and that is precisely the problem. There are a number of vacancies, and there have been for a while. The Department has not been able to fill them with suitably qualified people, but we are trying to do that. I accept the hon. Lady's point that we need to keep the inspectorate up to strength.

Mr. Paul Dean

I welcome my right hon. Friend's answer, but does he think that there is a real need for hospitals to manufacture Pharmaceuticals? Is it not the case that, in most instances, it would be cheaper for them to buy from established suppliers outside?

Mr. Jenkin

I am not satisfied that all the 480 hospitals need engage in manufacture. Nor am I satisfied that they all take account of the full costs of manufacture compared with buying in medicines. My Department will be discussing the whole question of manufacture with the chairman of the supply council.

Mr. Terry Davis

Is the Minister aware that the Opposition are more concerned about safety than about expense? Will he tell the House how often these hospitals have been inspected? Is it not appalling that the eight hospitals in England that should have ceased manufacturing have not yet done so? May we have an assurance that he will give us the reasons in due course?

Mr. Jenkin

The hon. Gentleman knows that there is another question on the Order Paper about the number of inspection days during the last five years. The answer to that will appear in the Official Report tomorrow. I share his concern. My Department has been engaged on this matter for some months, but questions from hon. Members have enabled Ministers to take a direct interest. That is why I have called for an urgent report.