HL Deb 10 May 1971 vol 318 cc618-21
LORD ARCHIBALD

My Lords, I beg leave 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 there is any progress report on the question of the labelling of prescribed medicines since a reply was given to a Parliamentary Question on May 18, 1970.]

THE MINISTER CF STATE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SECURITY (LORD ABERDARE)

Yes, my Lords. I understand that there has been good progress in the discussions between and within the professions on proposals to change the ruling convention between doctors and pharmacists as to the labelling of a dispensed medicine where the prescriber has given no specific directions. The opinion of the local bodies representative of pharmacists was again sought and consultation within the pharmaceutical profession is now completed. In the event of final agreement being reached between the professions I would expect them to approach the Department jointly with their proposals.

LORD ARCHIBALD

My Lords, while thanking the Minister for that rather helpful and hopeful reply, may I ask him whether he can give any indication of when action is likely to be taken on this matter? I would remind him that I have been asking this question every year for eleven years and I hope I do not have to go on asking it for another eleven years.

LORD ABERDARE

My Lords, I am aware of the number of times that the noble Lord has asked this question, and also that the answer has usually been, "Yes, my Lords." But at least the consultations within the pharmaceutical profession are now complete, and as soon as it can be agreed with the medical profession I hope we shall see some action.

LORD SEGAL

My Lords, could the noble Lord give any indication as to the lines along which good progress has so far been achieved?

LORD ABERDARE

My Lords, the pharmaceutical profession are happily considering the proposal that they should label medicines, unless specifically asked not to do so by the prescribing doctor.

BARONESS SUMMERSKILL

My Lords, the noble Lord has told the House about the discussions that have taken place with the medical profession and the pharmaceutical profession, but is there not another great interest involved; that is, the interest of the patient? Is consideration being given to that? And how can we elicit the opinion of the patient on this subject?

LORD ABERDARE

I should have thought, my Lords, that the medical profession had the interests of the patient fully at heart.

LORD WYNNE-JONES

My Lords, now that medicines are being sold by Her Majesty's Government, is it not obligatory that they should be labelled correctly?

LORD ABERDARE

I am not quite sure what the noble Lord's question is aimed at but, of course, we have not done more than to raise the fee which is paid; we have not altered the principle.

LORD BURNTWOOD

My Lords, on the slightly broader question of the labelling of medicines, have the Government yet issued regulations under Section 85 of the 1968 Act? If they have been issued, may a copy be placed in the Library?

LORD ABERDARE

My Lords, I am afraid that I need notice of that question, but I will certainly look into it and let the noble Lord know.

BARONESS SUMMERSKILL

My Lords, as we have waited very patiently now for some years, could the noble Lord let us know specifically when the announcement is going to be made?

LORD ABERDARE

My Lords, I thought I had made it plain that the professions had not yet agreed on this matter. It has been agreed within the pharmaceutical profession but it is now a matter for discussion between the pharmaceutical profession and the medical profession.

BARONESS SUMMERSKILL

But in view of the fact that the noble Lord, I think quite erroneously, believes that the medical profession always represents the interests of the patient, may I ask him whether he still thinks that the interests of the pharmaceutical profession are identical with those of the medical profession? They are not, and that is why there is this great delay. When are the Government going to decide the matter?

LORD ABERDARE

My Lords, the interests of the pharmaceutical profession have now been cleared, and they have agreed, but the medical profession in this matter are taking into account only the best interests of their patients.

LORD ARCHIBALD

May I ask the Minister whether it is not correct that, in addition to the Council of the Pharmaceutical Society, the Committee on Safety of Drugs and the General Medical Services Committee are also of the same view? If these three bodies have similar views on the matter, what is holding it up still further?

LORD ABERDARE

My Lords, I hope that it will not be held up much further, in view of the fact that most people are at one on this matter.

LORD SLATER

My Lords, can the Minister state what the position would be if the pharmaceutical profession agrees and the medical profession does not agree to this? If there is failure to agree in the final analysis, what is the situation? Is this going to be taken to arbitration, as in the case of a failure to agree in the industrial field?

LORD ABERDARE

My Lords, that is a hypothetical question which I hope will not arise.