§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how long his inquires into the legal status of starch-blocking pills will take; and whether, if evidence of adverse reactions to these pills were brought to his attention during the period of such an inquiry, he would ensure that they are withdrawn from sale;
(2) what action his Department intends to take in the light of recent reports of the seizure of starch-blocking pills by the United States Food and Drugs Administration; what significance is attached by his Department to adverse reactions and seizures reported by the United States Food and Drugs Administration; whether he will improve communications between his Department and the United States Food and Drugs Administration; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergThe Department maintains close ties with the United States Food and Drugs232W Administration. I am not aware of any scientific evidence which would suggest that products containing starch-blocking agents are a likely cause of any serious adverse effect upon consumers. I understand that their sale as unlicensed products has been prohibited in the United States and stocks impounded following reconsideration of their legal status in that country. Consequently they can at present no longer be marketed in the United States of America without a drug licence. The Department has been scrutinising evidence about starch-blockers currently on sale in this country in order to determine whether or not they are licensable medicinal products within the meaning of the Medicines Act 1968. It would appear some are licensable products, and appropriate enforcement action is being taken. I have adequate powers to prohibit the sale of starch-blockers if there were evidence to indicate they present a danger to health.