§ Mr. David NicholsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will include the Bio Products Laboratory in the pharmaceutical price regulation scheme; and if he will make a statement;
- (2) what account is taken by the Bio Products Laboratory in establishing its prices for plasma-related products of (i) the return on sales of red blood cells products and (ii) the total cost of producing plasma-related products;
- (3) if he will make it his policy to publish the accounts of the Bio Products Laboratory separately from those of the Central Blood Laboratories Authority;
- (4) if he will list the surpluses or losses made by the Bio Products Laboratory in each of the last five years.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThe Bio Products Laboratory is an integral part of the Central Blood Laboratories Authority. As with commercial enterprises, its internal management accounts are not intended for publication. The Central Blood Laboratories Authority publishes an annual report covering its activities as a whole. In the past five years, the Central Blood Laboratories Authority has stayed within the cash limit set by the Department.
The Bio Products Laboratory produces only plasma-derived products, not cellular products. In establishing its prices, the Bio Products Laboratory takes account of its operating costs, which include reimbursement of the cost of plasma collection by the regional transfusion centres.
There are no plans at present to include the Bio Products Laboratory in the pharmaceutical price regulation scheme.
§ Mr. David NicholsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the products which were affected by the transitional arrangements on licensing when the Bio Products Laboratory lost its Crown immunity status on 1 April.
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§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThe information requested in respect of the Bio Products Laboratory is confidential by virtue of the restrictions on disclosure contained in section 118 of the Medicines Act 1968.