§ 36. Mr. Mitchisonasked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science what is the Medical Research Council's annual expenditure on the testing of drugs; to what extent this work is expected to increase; and if the Council receives any non-Exchequer funds for this purpose.
§ Mr. Denzil FreethThe Medical Research Council do not in general carry out routine testing of drugs, and it would be wrong for such a responsibility to be undertaken by a research council. They do, however, undertake research on methods which may be used in the routine testing of drugs and, on occasion, clinical trials of selected drugs. In addition the Council undertake routine testing of certain biological preparations such as vaccines, as distinct from drugs, controlled under the Therapeutic Substances Act. The volume of this work on drug testing varies with scientific need, and it is difficult to provide significant estimates of its cost. But I am confident that the Council will continue to ensure that appropriate support is provided. The Council receive no funds from non-Exchequer sources for this purpose.