§ Mrs. Millie Millerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the effect on charges to the NHS of advertising campaigns to the medical profession of ethical pharmaceutical products.
§ Mr. MoyleAdvertising costs are included in the price of ethical pharmaceutical products supplied for the NHS, but under the voluntary price regulation scheme the amount allowed which is borne by the NHS is limited. I announced on 22nd July last year a reduction in the level of sales promotion costs allowed from about 14 per cent. of the value of the industry's sales to the NHS to 12 per cent. in 1977 and to 10 per cent. by 1979.
§ Mr. Gryllsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list in the Official Report a summary of any further recommendations from the sector working party on the pharmaceutical industry further to his reply to the hon. Member for Surrey, North-West on 16th November 1976; and whether any further action has been taken since then.
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§ Mr. MoyleThe sector working party has recently submitted a further report to the National Economic Development Council. This is to be discussed at the council meeting on 2nd February. The action being taken on the main recommendations of the sector working party addressed to the Government, indicated in my reply to the hon. Member on 16th November—[Vol. 919, c.500–1]—is continuing.