§ Baroness Whartonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they intend that the lay membership of the proposed Independent Panel to review the working of the Medicines (Advertising and Monitoring of Advertising) Amendment Regulations 1999 (S. I.267) will be drawn from consumers of dietary supplements and herbal remedies, and not from organisations which are antagonistic to such supplements and remedies; and [HL2085]
Whether they will be approaching Consumers for Health Choice to nominate lay membership of the proposed Independent Panel to review the working of the Medicines (Advertising and Monitoring of Advertising) Amendment Regulations 1999 (S. I.267); and [HL2086]
Which bodies and organisations they intend to consult about the appointment of individuals with (a) medical, (b) scientific (c) legal and (d) consumer, and (e) other backgrounds to the Independent Panel to review the working of the Medicines (Advertising and Monitoring of Advertising) Amendment Regulations 1999 (S. I.267) [HL2087]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Baroness Hayman)Nominations are welcome from any organisation or individual bearing in mind the range of expertise needed by the panel to fulfil its functions. The panel will not be responsible for the review of advertising of dietary supplements or unlicensed herbal remedies, as such products are not subject to the Medicines (Advertising) Regulations. However, this will not preclude the nomination of suitably qualified persons with an interest in dietary supplements and herbal remedies as, once elected, members do not represent organisations but contribute by their individual expertise and judgment to the advice given to the Licensing Authority, United Kingdom Health Ministers.
The Medicines Control Agency has drawn up a list of about 140 organisations to be asked for nominations to the panel but the list is not exhaustive and copies of the consultation letter can be obtained directly from the MCA by other interested parties. A copy of the list is attached to each consultation letter and is also available on request. We expect the letter to be sent out next week.