§ Mr. Michael MorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what consideration he has given to the(a) French and (b) Italian legislation giving additional patent protection for domestic research-based pharmaceutical companies through the establishment of supplementary protection certificates; and whether he has any plans to introduce similar legislation in the United Kingdom.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyWe have noted developments in France and Italy, as well as previous extensions in the United States of America and Japan. We believe that the issue is best considered in the context of the European Commission's draft regulation, which would override any separate national legislation.