HC Deb 31 March 1999 vol 328 cc827-8W
Mr. Ivan Lewis

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about the future of the Medicines Control Agency and the Medical Devices Agency. [80064]

Mr. Denham

Quinquennial reviews of both Agencies are now due. They will address the performance of each Agency and will re-examine the options ("Prior Options") which were considered before each Agency was established. They will look at all options, although they will be informed by the study which we announced on 9 December 1998 to investigate the longer-term organisational arrangements—including merger—which would best support the effective regulation of pharmaceuticals and medical devices. This study has just been completed and has recommended that the Agencies should not be merged at this time. The report of the study has been placed in the Library.