§ Mr. Murphyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received regarding the proposed reduction by the Department of Health and Social Security of the return on investment guideline from Smith Kline French and other pharmaceutical companies; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeWe have received from Smith Kline and French and from some other companies representations that the revised profit targets under the pharmaceutical price regulation scheme from 1 April are too low. However, we decided upon these targets after careful consideration of the 1984 report of the review board for Government contracts and of our need to achieve economies in the National Health Service drugs bill, and they must stand for the financial year 1985–86.