§ Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will consider setting up an 74W independent inquiry into the code of practice and safeguards necessary for the clinical trial of drugs in general practice.
§ Dr. VaughanResponsibility for the preparation and administration of a code of practice for clinical trials of licensed medicines in general practice lies with the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry. Its latest draft is currently under consideration by officials in this Department and the other health Departments. These officials have a wide range of interests, including those of patients, doctors and pharmacists. In addition, consultations have taken place with the British Medical Association, the Royal College of General Practitioners and the Patients Association. In view of the wide variety of interests already involved in the consideration of the code, I do not consider an independent inquiry to be necessary.