§ Mr. GregoryTo ask the Secretary of State for Health when he intends to publish his response to the European Community Commission's recent questionnaire on pharmaceutical pricing.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyI am arranging for copies of our response to the Commission of the European Communities questionnaire and of the questionnaire itself to be placed in the Library.
The response affirms the Government's wish to promote an open competitive market, and to take a positive part in future Community discussions on cost controls. The Government support discussions and exchanges of information between member states on matters of common interest in pharmaceuticals, including comparisons of prices and qualities of products to encourage rational prescribing, classification and identification systems, pack sizes, and availability of generics. There are considerable differences between member states' health care systems and their arrangements for controlling pharmaceutical expenditure. The Government consider, however, that a prescriptive central approach to price and profit controls should be avoided. Matters to do with the organisation and financing of health care are for member states.
§ Mr. GregoryTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he is considering any changes to the pharmaceutical price regulation scheme; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyWe continue to operate the pharmaceutical price regulation scheme under the 198680W agreement with the pharmaceutical industry. The scheme will continue to operate unless either side gives six months' notice of termination not earlier than April 1992. In considering future arrangements, as well as the working of the scheme, we will take account of the effects of any relevant European Community developments on price and profit controls and of the indicative prescribing scheme.