§ Mr. David AtkinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what research has been or is being done under EC programmes on how complementary medicines can be integrated within existing systems of health care delivery; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe scope of the current EC programme on biomedical and health research does not provide for such research and there are no plans to widen the remit of future EC health and medical research programmes to enable the consideration of such proposals. The United Kingdom Government have agreed to sign the memorandum of understanding for the implementation of a European research project on unconventional medicine sponsored by the co-operation on science and technology programme which involves EC and other European states. This project—which is designed to last for five years—will examine procedures for establishing the efficacy of complementary medicines.
§ Mr. David AtkinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how the single European market will affect complementary medicines.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe United Kingdom's medicines licensing controls, including those for complementary medicines, are not immediately affected by the launch of the single market on 1 January 1993.
The European Council of Ministers adopted directives 92/73/EEC and 92/74/EEC in September 1992 and these provide for the partial harmonisation of the rules relating to the regulation of homoeopathic medicinal products for use by humans and in animals, respectively. These directives, which are due to be implemented in member states by 31 December 1993, will ensure the continuing availability of homoeopathic medicines within the United Kingdom while making it easier for manufacturers to market their products in other member states. The arrangements for implementing the directives within the United Kingdom will shortly be the subject of wide consultation by the Government with interested parties.