§ 81. Mr. Pavittasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the National Academy of Sciences and National Research Council of the United States has caused the withdrawal of 10 per cent. of the drugs tested because they are ineffective; if he is satisfied with the efficiency of his machinery for testing the safety of drugs and evaluating them for effectiveness; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonI am aware that the National Academy of Sciences has been carrying out an evaluation of the efficacy of drugs on the market in the United States, but I understand that their report is not yet complete. I have full confidence in the Committee on Safety of Drugs and the Standing Joint Committee on the Classification of Proprietary Preparations, whose work in this country is well known. The Medicines Bill proposes that efficacy of medicinal products for the purpose for which they are promoted should be one of the matters taken into account by the Medicines Commission or an expert advisory committee.