§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action he proposes to take on the thirty-seventh list of proposed international non-proprietary names of medicines published in the World Health Organisation Chronicle in March 1977.
§ Mr. MoyleWorld Health Organisation publishes a list of proposed international non-proprietary names (INN) for pharmaceutical substances twice a year. Member States have four months in which to consider their attitude to the proposals, and on this matter I look to the advice of the British Pharmacopoeia Commission. It is the responsibility of member Governments to decide upon the adoption of the list of recommended INN. Under the Medicines Act regulations have been made which comply with our obligations under EEC directives and require that where a recommended INN is in existence it shall be used as the appropriate non-proprietary name for medicinal sub-394W stances and ingredients in the United Kingdom.