§ Mr. HayesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he has obtained the views of the Committee on Safety of Medicines, the Medicines Commission or the Medicines Control Agency regarding the opinion offered by Mr. Mummery QC on the ownership of patient records regarding the effects of this advice on clinical research in the United Kingdom.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyYes.
§ Mr. HayesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the implications of Mr. Mummery's opinion on the ownership of patient records for the conduct of fundamental clinical research, clinical trials and post-marketing surveillance studies which involve the collection and analysis of anonymised patient records.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThis is still being considered.
§ Mr. HayesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he has received representations expressing contrary views to those of Mr. Mummery QC relating to the ownership of general practitioners' patient records held on computer; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyYes. The Government intend to consult interested parties on draft guidance to be issued in January 1990 regarding this and related subjects.