§ Mr. Hancockasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what arrangements are being made to monitor the import of drugs from the People's Republic of China, following the introduction of limited list prescribing.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeFor a medicinal product to be imported from the People's Republic of China (and other countries outside the European Community), a valid United Kingdom product licence, under the Medicines Act 1968, relating to the product, must be in existence. Before a product can qualify for a product licence, the licensing authority must be satisfied that the product is safe, efficacious and of good quality. Importers of all such licenced products are required to ensure that their products conform to acceptable standards and are subject to appropriate checks as well as being liable for inspection by our Medicines Inspectorate.
Questions of the volume of trade in a medicinal product are for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.