§ Mr. McCrindleasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what measures he is taking to foster competition between drug manufacturing companies in the provision of medicines; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. Newton[pursuant to his reply, 3 April 1987, c.657]: The Department encourages price competition in the supply of generic medicines to the National Health Service. For patented, branded medicines, to which normal market price competition does not generally apply, we operate a scheme to regulate the maximum level of profit which individual companies can achieve overall from supplying medicines to the National Health Service.
§ Mr. McCrindleasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will consider whether the system of licensing and approving new improved drugs could be assisted by encouraging limited trials within the National Health Service; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Newton[pursuant to his reply, 3 April 1987, c.657]: Most clinical trials conducted during the development of a new medicine already take place in the National Health Service. The extent of such trials must depend upon the nature of the information about the use of the medicine in patients that is required. Clinical trials are conducted in accordance with the Medicines Act 1968 and European legislation and are expected to take account of guidelines issued by the United Kingdom licensing authority and the European Community. The licensing authority, advised by expert scientific committees, must consider the safety, quality and efficacy of a medicine before licensing a medicinal product.
§ Mr. McCrindleasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will consult with doctors on whether further opportunities exist to reduce the number of drugs available on the limited list; if he will further consider the effects of such a reduction on patient care; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Newton[pursuant to his reply, 3 April 1987, c. 657]: The advisory committee on National Health Service drugs 516W gives advice on the medicines which should be available for prescription under the National Health Service in the seven therapeutic categories covered by the selected list scheme, and we have no plans for consulting on their advice.