§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give a detailed list of research into the prevention and treatment of diabetes financed from public funds; if he will give his best estimate of the work in the prevention and treatment of diabetes financed from independent sources; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. William SheltonI shall write to the hon. Member.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what work is being financed from public funds, what research he is aware of which is supported from other sources into the development of an insulin tablet for diabetics; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. William SheltonThe only current research on a possible insulin tablet of which I am aware is that being carried out at the Medical Research Council's clinical research centre where the use of liposomes as carriers of insulin for intragastric administration is being studied. Major problems of preventing the premature degradation of the insulin by enzymes in the gut and regulating the rate of its absorption have, however, not yet been overcome and it is considered that the prospect of developing a successful insulin tablet is at present remote.