§ Mr. GaleTo ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 20 April 2000,Official Report, column 624W, on slimming drugs, upon what grounds the urgent advice of the Committee on the Safety of Medicines has been sought concerning the drug amfepramone.
§ Ms Stuart[holding answer 8 May 2000]: The Committee's advice was sought following the suspension by the European Court of the European Commission Decision to withdraw amfepramone products from the Community market. The Committee was asked to consider the public health implications of the reinstatement of the licences for amfepramone.
§ Mr. GaleTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the cost to the NHS of treatment for obesity that will arise from the withdrawal from the market of the drug phentermine and related products; and if he will make a statement. [121108]
§ Ms Stuart[holding answer 8 May 2000]: The decision to withdraw a product from the market is based on the safety and efficacy of that product and the associated impact on public health, not cost to the National Health Service. The decision to withdraw phentermine from the market was a European Commission Decision, with which the United Kingdom was obliged to comply, according to the legislation governing medicinal products in the European Union.