HC Deb 24 October 1961 vol 646 c65W
Mr. Arbuthnot

asked the Minister of Health (1) what steps he is taking to ensure that hospitals will be adequately served in connection with technical and scientific queries arising from their use of drugs purchased from foreign suppliers;

(2) what detailed inspections have been carried out by or on his behalf of manufacturing units abroad from which it is proposed to obtain preparations covered by the Therapeutic Substances Act for use in hospitals.

Mr. Powell

The items for the purchase of which I am using Section 46 of the Patents Act are not covered by the Therapeutic Substances Act. They have been in general use in hospital practice for some time and I have no reason to doubt that technical and scientific problems arising in their use can be adequately dealt with.

Mr. Arbuthnot

asked the Minister of Health if he will publish the names of the foreign companies who are carrying out the various stages of manufacture of drugs being made abroad and purchased far use in hospitals.

Mr. Powell

No.