§ Mr. Simsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services in how many cases proceedings have been taken against companies importing pharmaceutical products without being in possession of the appropriate licence; and if he is satisfied that no unlicensed products are entering the country.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeIn the last 10 years, proceedings have been taken against 11 companies or individuals who, in breach of the provisions of the Medicines Act 1968, have imported a medicinal product for human use not in accordance with a product licence. Our Department cannot monitor all incoming medicinal products, and in any case it is not an offence to import from the European Community and to hold in store medicinal products licensed in a Community country.
A close watch is, however kept for alleged unlicensed medicines and all reports are followed up. Enforcement 465W proceedings are considered if there is prima facie evidence that the terms of the Medicines Act or the European Community legislation have been breached.