HC Deb 11 May 1973 vol 856 cc217-8W
Mr. Pavitt

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will introduce regulations to prohibit the sending of free drug samples to general practitioners and hospitals except upon written application.

Sir K. Joseph

The desirability of this is a matter which I shall be reviewing in the course of implementation of Section 66 of the Medicines Act. But I see no reason at the moment to take such during the year ending 31st December 1972:

action and the general level of sales promotion expenditure, including samples, is already discussed with pharmaceutical companies where appropriate under the Voluntary Price Regulation Scheme.