§ Dr. KumarTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the adoption of EU Directive 2001/83/EC into UK law and its impact on the use of natural health therapies. [53350]
§ Ms BlearsThe European Commission has proposed amendments to EU Directive 2001/83/EC which forms part of the body of EC legislation which regulates medicinal products for human use. The proposed amendments are currently being discussed by the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament. Once adopted by the Council of Ministers they will have to be transposed into UK law.
The medicines legislation currently applies only to licensed medicinal products. However, the Commission's proposed amendments, if adopted as drafted, will widen the definition of a medicine and bring more products within the scope of medicines legislation.
The UK is firmly opposed to this proposal and is resisting it strongly in the negotiations.