HC Deb 25 January 1983 vol 35 cc389-90W
Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether his Department requests or obtains information from pharmaceutical companies supplying drugs for the National Health Service, about the percentage of their turnover that goes on (a) research and development, (b) marketing and (c) profits.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

All companies supplying medicines to the NHS to the value of more than £l.5 million a year must submit to the Department an annual financial return together with a report by an independent accountant. This is a requirement of the pharmaceutical price regulation scheme. The returns record expenditure under a number of headings including research and development, marketing and profit.