§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with the pharmaceutical industry concerning the cost of drugs to(a) consumers and (b) the NHS following the requirement to dispense drugs in blister packs.[144761]
§ Ms StuartNo medicines are legally required only to be dispensed or sold in blister packs. The type of packaging used for medicines is a commercial decision for the manufacturer concerned, provided the quality and safety of the product are maintained. The Department for Health has frequented discussions with representatives of the pharmaceutical industry and those discussions have on occasions included Issues relating to the packaging of medicines.