§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with(a) British pharmaceutical companies and (b) his United States counterparts, regarding the patenting of Ciprofloxacin penicillin supplies; and if he will make a statement. [11161]
§ Yvette Cooper[holding answer 1 November 2001]: I apologise to the hon. Member for the delay in responding to this question. I refer her to the reply that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State gave my hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool, North and Fleetwood (Mrs. Humble) on 5 March 2002, Official Report, column 192W.
I have not had discussions with pharmaceutical companies concerning the patent of Ciprofloxacin.
My officials have had general discussions with the manufacturer of Ciprofloxacin and several other manufacturers of key medical supplies as part of the medical countermeasures programme against the deliberate release of a biological agent.
994WMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has recently signed an agreement with his United States counterpart to explore opportunities for joint working across a range of issues concerning bio-terrorism.
§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans the Government have to ensure supplies of the penicillin Ciprofloxacin are available in the United Kingdom. [11162]
§ Yvette CooperI apologise to the hon. Member for the delay in responding to this question. I refer her to the reply that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State gave my hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool, North and Fleetwood (Mrs. Humble) on 5 March 2002,Official Report, column 192W.
A substantial stockpile of Ciprofloxacin and other appropriate antibiotics has been secured, and stocks are being further augmented.
Furthermore, appropriate emergency supplies of Ciprofloxacin and other essential antibiotics have been strategically placed across the UK to facilitate rapid deployment in an emergency.