§ Mr. Greg Knightasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the value, at National Health Service prices, of drugs imported into the United Kingdom under the system of parallel importing during the past 12 months or during the latest period of 12 months for which figures are available; and what was the actual import value of those drugs.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThis information is not available centrally from import or other statistics.
§ Mr. Greg Knightasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what facilities exist to trace the source of faulty drugs that have been brought into the United Kingdom under the system of parallel importing; and what redress he has available against the manufacturers of such drugs.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeNo special facilities have been set up to deal with defective medicines brought into the United Kingdom in this way. Any such products would be dealt with under existing well understood arrangements for reports of the presence of batches of actual or suspected defective medicines to be telephoned to the Department at any time of the day or night. Recall of a product would be initiated through commercial channels with assistance, where necessary, from our officials — whether the products came from overseas or were manufactured in the United Kingdom. If appropriate, publicity through the media would be arranged. Redress is available under the Medicines Act against a person who supplies a product not of the nature of quality demanded by the purchaser.
§ Mr. Greg Knightasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied with the quality and standard of drugs being brought into the United Kingdom under the system known as parallel importing; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeParallel imported drugs are, by definition, identical or virtually identical to medicinal
612Wproducts already licensed in the United Kingdom. We are currently considering, in the light of United Kingdom and European Community legislation, whether any changes are required to ensure that the standards applicable to such imports are as high as those for medicinal products manufactured and sold in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. Greg Knightasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received and from whom concerning the question of parallel importing of drugs; what action he proposes to take as a result thereof; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeWe have received representations from pharmaceutical manufacturers, wholesalers and trade associations on the question of parallel importing of drugs. Our concern is to ensure the quality, efficacy and safety of the medicines used in the treatment of patients in the United Kingdom and we are currently looking into this matter.