HC Deb 13 December 1978 vol 960 cc237-8W
Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what support his Department is giving to research into biotechnology; and what steps are being taken to ensure that British companies utilise this research for its major drugs potential.

Mr. Moyle:

Research and development expenditure by pharmaceutical companies is accepted as a cost under the pharmaceutical price regulation scheme in fixing the prices of prescribable medicines. If my hon. Friend has a specific application in mind and would care to let me have the details, a should be happy to consider the matter and write to her.