§ Mr. HayesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment his Department has made of the implications of the single European market on progress towards national self-sufficiency in blood and plasma products; and if he will make a statement;
586W(2) by what date he envisages that the United Kingdom and Europe will have self-sufficiency in blood and plasma products.
§ Mr. DorrellThe EC directive which harmonises the licensing requirements for blood products promotes a policy of Community self-sufficiency in such products derived from the donations of voluntary and unpaid donors but does not forbid importation. This is consistent with our own long-standing policy of seeking self-sufficiency in blood products sourced from our own volunteer donors. Nevertheless, while promoting self-sufficiency we also recognise the clinical freedom of doctors to choose the product most suitable for an individual patient.
Imported products are being prescribed in this country as the result of the preference of individual clinicians. The Bio-Products Laboratory is meeting in full the current demand for its blood products and continues to make efforts to increase its share of the blood products market but the choice of product remains with the clinician.
No target date has yet been set for the achievement of self-sufficiency in blood products throughout the EC.