§ Mr. FearnTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his practice to appoint to the Medicines Commission and the Committee on Safety of Medicines members without any financial interests in drug companies.
§ Mr. Mellor[holding answer 19 October 1989]: No. Members are appointed for the expert advice they are able to give. Any involvements they may have in research sponsored by the pharmaceutical industry helps them keep in touch with important aspects of drug development. By following the ethical standards set by the code of practice on declaration of interests members are able to avoid conflicts of interest which might otherwise impair the objectivity of the advice they give.