§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if, in his present negotiations with the drug industry, he will take into consideration the evidence sent to him by the hon. Member for Brent, South showing pseudocompetition between companies that have a mutual marketing arrangement;
(2) if, in his present negotiations with the drug industry, he will take into consideration the evidence sent to him by the hon. Member for Brent, South that five major suppliers tacitly compete against themselves and incur unnecessary promotional costs; and if he will take action to disallow such costs under the voluntary price regulation scheme.
§ Dr. OwenMy negotiations with the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry are concerned both with the quality and the cost of advertising. I am seeking a substantial reduction in the cost and an improvement in the quality of advertising in order to make information to doctors more accurate and objective.