§ Mr. Gryllsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the policy of the Government on the harmonisation of international drug requirements; and whether he considers the World Health Organisation has a role to play if such harmonisation proceeds.
§ Dr. VaughanThe policy of the Government is to continue to work through the appropriate committees of the EEC in the harmonisation of requirements for granting of marketing authorisations 331W within the Community. Neither this Government nor, so far as we are aware, the European Commission have any proposals for extending such harmonisation beyond the EEC or for involving the World Health Organisation in this function.
My Department has been aware of the concern that industry has shown following comments by an official of the Food and Drugs Administration of the United States that the WHO might be involved in a supranational drug registration scheme.