§ Mr. TredinnickTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to appoint experts in homoeopathic, biochemic and anthroposophic medicines to(a) the staff of the Medicines Control Agency, (b) a committee constituted under section 14 of the Medicines Act 1968 to advise in technical matters and appeals and (c) the Medicines Commission in order to ensure the implementation of the EC directive on homoeopathic medicinal products; and when she plans to take action.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe EC directive on homoeopathic products was adopted on 22 September 1992 for 521W implementation by 31 December 1993. There are already professional staff within the Medicines Control Agency who are knowledgeable about homoeopathic medicines and expertise in these areas can be strengthened if this becomes necessary as a result of the directive.
It is anticipated that there will need to be access to independent expert advice on some applications, but the procedures and the structure and status of advisory bodies depends on many factors. Discussions are ongoing, both within the Department and with interested parties, on how best to develop channels whereby such advice on homoeopathic, anthroposophic and biochemic medicines can be made available to the agency and the licensing authority.