HL Deb 22 April 1993 vol 544 cc111-2WA
Lord Walton of Detchant

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have taken steps to ensure that medicines supplied to the WHO Essential Drugs Programme were of good quality, and if so what steps they were.

Baroness Cumberlege

The World Health Organisation Action Programme on Essential Drugs helps developing countries to establish and develop national drug policies and essential drugs programmes. It provides technical support and does not normally supply drugs. In exceptional circumstances, it advises on drugs supply but acts through the WHO Supply Division. The programme does not itself sign contracts or handle drugs. The United Kingdom is a member of the programme's management advisory committee and fully supports the efforts of the programme and related WHO divisions to ensure that all drugs supplied to developing countries are of good quality.