§ Mr. ClappisonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (I) what proportion of drugs used in(a) the hospital service and (b) the community through the NHS are the subject of parallel importation from other European member states; what assessment he has made of the effect on the NHS of national quotas imposed by multinational drug companies to impede such activity; and if he will make a statement. [71729]
(2) what representations he has made to the European Commission in respect of the decision by Eli Lilly to impose a quota system in the supply of the drug Zyprexa in other European Union member states; [71730]
(3) what assessment he has made of the impact on the price of the drug Zyprexa to the NHS of the restriction of imports of the drug from other European member countries. [71731]
§ Mr. Lammy[holding answer 22 July 2002]: Full information on the proportion of parallel imported medicines used by the National Health Service is not available but it is estimated that parallel imports into the United Kingdom are 13 per cent. of total sales. Parallel imported products represent approximately 11 per cent. of NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency pharmaceutical contracts for secondary care. No assessment has been made on the effect on the NHS of national quotas imposed by pharmaceutical companies.
1404WThe European Community Commission is already looking at quota policies to determine whether they are compatible with European Union competition law. We have neither received nor made representations in respect of the decision by Eli Lilly to impose a quota system in the supply of the drug Zyprexa in other EU member states.
The NHS reimbursement price of Zyprexa is unchanged.