HC Deb 12 December 1989 vol 163 cc600-1W
22. Mr. Robert B. Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his latest estimate of the savings to the National Health Service drugs bill as a result of the limited list of drugs.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

In 1985–86 the selected list scheme saved £75 million on the drugs bill. It is not possible to make meaningful estimates for subsequent years but there is every reason to believe that significant savings continue to be made.

32. Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he intends making any new recommendations on the labelling of drugs available(a) on prescription and (b) over the counter to the general public.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

We have commented on a European Community (EC) Commission consultative document suggesting, amongst other things, revision of EC directive requirements on medicines labels. The EC Commission is expected to put a formal proposal for a directive to the Council of Ministers early in the New Year. It would be counterproductive and contrary to our EC obligations to revise the United Kingdom Medicines (Labelling) Regulations before the adoption of the new directive.