Written question asked by John Austin (Labour) on Wednesday, 23 March 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 7 April 2005. It was answered by Melanie Johnson (Labour) on Thursday, 7 April 2005 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent representations he has received in relation to conduct of research involving pharmaceutical companies; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: John Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations he has received in relation to conduct of research involving pharmaceutical companies; and if he will make a statement. [224266] Miss Melanie Johnson: In the context of the United Kingdom Clinical Research Collaboration, pharmaceutical industry representatives and others have drawn attention to inconsistent local administrative requirements of national health service organisations that can delay clinical research. The UK Clinical Research Collaboration includes a work stream on regulatory and governance issues through which the Department is working with its partners to promote processes which operate more efficiently while continuing to providing effective protection for patients. Representatives of the pharmaceutical industry also recently submitted evidence to an ad hoc group reviewing the operation of the NHS Research Ethics Committee system. Under the Freedom of Information Act, the Department has received a request for information about clinical trials conducted in the NHS for pharmaceutical companies.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 432 c1714-5W;432 c1710W; 224266
Session: 2004-05
Subjects: Disclosure of information Drugs NHS Regulation Research Clinical trials
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk