§ Mr. KennedyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he plans to invite the Association of Pharmaceutical Importers to join the joint consultative group; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyNo. the joint consultative group exists to provide an informal discussion forum comprising senior representatives of the Department, the Medicines Control Agency and the two principal trade associations. If it were expanded to cover other interested trade associations it could not function in that informal way.
§ Mr. KennedyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health when he last met the chairman of the Association of Pharmaceutical Importers; and what matters were discussed.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyWe have had no formal meetings with the chairman of the Association of Pharmaceutical Importers.