HC Deb 10 June 1997 vol 295 cc422-3W
Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) which 10 developing countries received the greatest quantities of medicinal drug donations from United Kingdom companies and charities for(a) emergency relief and (b) general medicinal use in 1996–97; and if he will make a statement; [2728]

(2) what estimate she has made of the number of tonnes of medicinal drugs donated to developing countries (a) directly by pharmaceutical companies and (b) via charities each year for (i) emergency relief and (ii) general medicinal use; and if he will make a statement; [2727]

(3) what estimate he has made of the total numbers of charitable organisations and commercial bodies which donate medicinal drugs to (a) the Baltic states, (b) Haiti, (c) Africa and (d) Romania. [2756]

Ms Jowell

We do not hold information on the numbers of charities and companies who make drug donations nor on the types or volume of drugs donated.

Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals he has to meet United States representatives to discuss the provision of tax incentives for firms donating medicinal drugs to developing countries; and if he will make a statement. [2691]

Ms Jowell

None.

Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the World Health Organisations's guidelines on drug donations; and what proposals he has to improve them; [2757]

(2) what plans he has to implement the World Health Organisation's guidelines on drug donations to third world and former eastern bloc countries. [2758]

Ms Jowell

The Government supports the World Health Organisations's Guidelines for drug donations, which were published in May 1996. These give advice to both donating and recipient member states on safety, quality, and labelling. The United Kingdom pharmaceutical industry is aware of the WHO guidelines. The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain also provides similar guidance to its members on redirection of medicines overseas.

The UK currently holds the chair of the WHO's Drugs Action Programme Management Advisory Committee which regularly reviews progress on implementation of the guidelines and assess the need for improvements.