§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what conditions are attached to the content of journals issued free to general practitioners, where the cost is allowed by Her Majesty's Government to the drug industry as part of sales promotion costs; and whether any such condition includes the control of statements similar to that submitted to him by the hon. Member for Brent South.
§ Mr. EnnalsThe cost of sales promotion allowed as a cost in financial returns submitted by pharmaceutical companies under the Voluntary Price Regulation Scheme will be subject to the limitation I announced on 22nd July, which will reduce the allowed costs from 14 per cent. of the Industry's sales to 10 per cent. by 1979. Sales promotion includes the cost of advertising in journals. The content of journals, however, is a matter for editors to decide, and I should like to make it absolutely clear that Her Majesty's Government have no intention to seek to limit editorial freedom by imposing conditions to control statements in the Press, however critical they may be of Government policy. Any such suggestion is a direction of the intentions of the Government who are concerned only to limit the cost of sales promotion which can be set against profits in determining the cost of drugs required for use in the NHS.