§ 2.35 p.m.
§ VISCOUNT SAMUELMy Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have been able to give further consideration to the regulations governing the supply of the drugs Cortisone and ACTH.]
§ LORD MANCROFTMy Lords, since my noble friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, answered some questions on this subject put to him by the noble Viscount on February 3, there has been one change in the facilities open to those who require cortisone or adrenocorticotrophic hormone. The Board of Trade are now, in general, prepared to issue import licences in response to applications made by or on behalf of those who need these drugs for their personal use, if the application is accompanied by a medical certificate stating the condition from which the patient is suffering and the quantity and form of cortisone or adrenocorticotrophic hormone required for his treatment.
§ VISCOUNT SAMUELMy Lords, I am very glad that the Government have been able to give fresh consideration to this matter, and I am sure that the decision that has now been reached will be extremely welcome to the medical profession, and still more to sufferers whose condition may be relieved by the treatment that will now be made available for them.
§ LORD TEVIOTMy Lords, may I ask my noble friend whether this new attitude will be immediately adopted? I am connected with an institution, and in the last fortnight we have had two very difficult cases. Are these new regulations likely to come into operation soon?
§ LORD MANCROFTMy Lords, I will, of course, confirm this, but I know of no reason at all why they should not be brought into use at once.
§ LORD TEVIOTI thank the noble Lord.