HC Deb 04 May 1983 vol 42 cc96-7W
Mr. Alfred Morris

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will estimate the total value of dietary supplements sold in the United Kingdom in 1982 and in each of the three preceding years; and if he will provide comparative figures for the total value of medicines and the total value of starch-blocking pills sold in each of those years;

(2) whether his Department has reached a decision on the legal status of starch-blocking pills; and what decision has been taken or when he expects to reach a decision.

Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg

The information requested is not collected by the Department. The following estimates have been provided by the relevant manufacturing association:

Value of Non-Prescription Medicines sold in the United Kingdom £ million Value of Specialist Health Food Products sold in the United Kingdom £ million Value of Products containing starch blockers sold in the United Kingdom £ million
1979 233 21
1980 269 26
1981 311 29
1982 350 (approximately) 34 0.3

Following reports that products containing starch blockers are ineffective as slimming aids it is believed that sales of these products in the United Kingdom are now insignificant.

As a result of action taken by the Department, medicinal claims are no longer made in respect of these products. They are not therefore considered to be medicinal products within the meaning of the Medicines Act 1968.