§ Mr. Gryllsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his policy towards the motion of the European Parliament, passed on 27 April, calling on the EEC Commission to study the manufacture, distribution and use of pharmaceutical products; and what is the Government's view on the European Parliament proposal for the possible free circulation of drugs in the Community.
§ Dr. VaughanI have seen the report submitted by the committee on economic and monetary affairs—the Keersmaeker report—to the European Parliament on 7 March and the resolution adopted on 26 April. The Commission, in the course of its study of the economic aspects of health, presented a report of a study of pharmaceutical consumption to the meeting of EEC health Ministers in November 1978 and has recently set up a committee on pharmaceutical prices. I shall be watching developments but, as the resolution by the European Parliament was addressed to the Commission and the Council, it would be premature for me to comment at this stage.