§ Dr. Kim HowellsTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received from the United Kingdom pharmaceutical sector on the likely effects of the proposed reform of patents, as set out by the report of the European Parliament's committee on the environment, public health and consumer protection; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LeighI have received many representations from the pharmaceutical industry about the Commission's proposal for a supplementary protection certificate for medicinal products but none has referred to the particular changes addressed by the recommendation of the European Parliament's committee on the environment, public health and consumer protection. The European Parliament did not adopt the committee's recommendation in its opinion on the proposal.
§ Dr. Kim HowellsTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give his Department's assessment of the optimum period it is believed should apply to patents and to supplementary protection certificates for pharmaceuticals in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. LeighThe optimum overall period of protection for pharmaceuticals by patent and the supplementary protection certificate currently proposed by the EC Commission should be such as to encourage research and development whilst not having unduly adverse consequences, because of the monopoly, on consumers, the national health service and the generic pharmaceutical industry. We hope to be in a position to announce a view on the details of the Commission's proposals shortly.