§ Sir David KnoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if her recent statement about the availability of herbal products in which she referred to section 28 of the Medicines Act 1968 also covers the provisions of section 56 of that legislation; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. SackvilleYes. The exemptions, together with the public health safeguards which are provided by section 56 of the Act for retail sale and supply of certain categories of herbal medicines will continue to apply.
§ Sir David KnoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many letters she has now received from right hon. and hon. Members concerning the future availability of herbal medicines; and how many of those letters opposed the imposition of restrictions on the availability of such products.
§ Mr. SackvilleWe have received over 1,000 letters from right hon. and hon. Members who were concerned about the possible effect of proposed regulations on herbal medicines. Our confirmation that the exemption from product licensing requirements for certain categories of herbal medicines under section 12 of the Medicines Act 1968 will be retained when the new regulations come into force has been generally welcomed.