§ Norman BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what controls regulate the distribution within NHS premises of commercial products to patients where the giving of permission to distribute generates an income stream for NHS trusts. [186179]
§ Mr. HuttonIncome generation schemes are those that rely on Section 7(1) of the Health and Medicines Act 1988. My "right" hon. Friend, the Secretary of State has delegated these income generating powers to all national health service trusts, including ambulance and mental health trusts, primary care trusts and strategic health authorities. Guidance, clearly setting out under what circumstances income generation powers can be used, was issued to the NHS in November 2001. A copy of the guidance is available in the Library.