§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when the supply of a drug to the market is stopped by a manufacturer because of potential hazard to users, what regulations there are which ensure that existing stocks in chemists' shops are withdrawn.
§ Mr. MoyleThere are no regulations about this matter. Withdrawal of a product from the market by the manufacturer does not prevent retail pharmacies from continuing to supply it in accordance with a prescription. If the withdrawal is on grounds of safety, practitioners are advised of the position; it is for the individual practitioner to decide whether a particular product should be prescribed.
There is power under Section 62 of the Medicines Act to make a statutory order totally prohibiting the sale or supply of a specified product on grounds of safety. Where such an order is made, it would be a contravention of the law for a pharmacist to supply the product 481W even on a prescription. No such order has ever been made in the case of a prescription product, as the requirement of a prescription is considered a sufficient safeguard. The possibility would, however, be considered if advice was received from the appropriate advisory body.