§ Mr. HargreavesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement concerning the funding arrangements of the Medicines Control Agency listing all external agencies or companies that supply funds.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe Medicines Control agency—MCA —has, since it was established in 1989, been funded by fees from applicants for and holders of product licences, wholesale dealers licences and manufacturers licences. The MCA also receives fees for inspections of manufacturers and wholesale dealers premises. Ministers review MCA616W fee levels annually and widespread consultation takes place on the Government's proposals for the following year. The proposed fee levels, amended as necessary in the light of consultation, are then laid before Parliament for approval. Over 2,700 companies and external agencies paid fees to the MCA in 1992–93, a list of them will be placed in the Library.