§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will monitor the advertisements of medical drugs and ensure that the public is notified whenever they are changed in content or withdrawn.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeWe concentrate most of our resources for monitoring on advertisements for prescription-only medicines, which are the most powerful drugs but which by law cannot be advertised to the public. Most advertisements for other medicines which are seen by the public because they can be bought over the counter are approved before publication by the appropriate trade association in accordance with codes of practice which conform with Medicines Act regulations. We see no need to inform the public whenever an advertisement for such medicines is changed or withdrawn.