§ Mr. Michael McNair-Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether the standards used by the Committee on Safety of Medicines in assessing the possibilities of licensing and franchising new drugs including their special effectiveness are the same as those used by the Advisory Committee on National Health Service Medicines in deciding whether such drugs should be available on prescription.
§ Mr. HayhoeNo. The Committee on Safety of Medicines advises on the safety, quality and efficacy of medicinal products. The Advisory Committee on National Health Service Drugs considers need and cost in recommending whether medicinal products in certain therapeutic categories should be available on National Health Service prescription.