§ Mr. ChurchillTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assurance was given to the court on behalf of his Department during the hearing in June of an application for a judicial review filed by the Natural Medicines Group and the British Herbal Medicines Association, in respect of a review of the new system of fees for product licences; when the review will be completed; and if he will undertake not to increase such fees further until such a review has been completed.
508W
§ Mr. DorrellThe court was assured that a full review of the fee structure was in progress, publication of the review proposals was expected shortly and any representations as to the fee structure would be fully considered in the course of the formal consultation following publication.
We now expect that the review will be completed by 1 April 1991.
As was explained in the consultation letter MLX 180 issued to all licence holders by the Medicines Control Agency on 13 September 1990, a copy of which is available in the Library, a further fee increase is considered necessary and is expected to come into operation during December 1990.