§ Mr. Gryllsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, as a matter of urgency, in view of the risks to patients' safety, he will make a statement on the responses he has received to consultative document MLX 150 on parallel imports of pharmaceutical preparations; and whether he intends to take any new steps to ensure that the dispensing of medicines in the National Health Service conforms to the requirements of the Medicines Act 1968.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeWe have received extensive comments on the consultation document MLX 150. This was issued immediately after my statement of 8 December, at columns 477–79, in which I explained that we were not aware of injury to patients from parallel imports so far, but proposed to guard against the possibility. The comments, which are being studied urgently, demonstrate sharp differences of opinion between those who seek tighter controls on imported medicines and those who question the need for more onerous restrictions. We shall be making an announcement about the outcome of the consultation as soon as possible.
The pharmacists' existing professional responsibility for the dispensing of medicines is quite adequate as a protection for the public provided that it is complied with in practice. We will ensure that any evidence of a failure to discharge that responsibility satisfactorily is referred to the relevant professional body for investigation.