Written question asked by Lord Brady of Altrincham (Conservative) on Tuesday, 28 July 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 31 July 1998. It was answered by Kim Howells (Labour) on Friday, 31 July 1998 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what assurances his Department gave to the Community Pharmacy Action Group in relation to resale price maintenance.

Answer: Mr. Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assurances his Department gave to the Community Pharmacy Action Group in relation to resale price maintenance. [54242] Dr. Howells: We have made it clear to the Community Pharmacy Action Group, as we did to the House, that we recognise the important role that community pharmacies play and that we would expect the Restrictive Practices Court to consider fully the issues relating to the retention and abolition of resale price maintenance for over- the-counter medicines, including the effect on local communities of possible pharmacy closures. We have also said that we would wish to take a robust line with the European Commission if, following a decision by the Restrictive Practices Court with respect to the continuation of the exemption for over-the-counter medicines under the Resale Prices Act, the Commission took action which flew in the face of that decision.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 317 c774W; 54242
Session: 1997-98
Subjects: Drugs Pharmacy Restrictive trade practices Resale price maintenance Restrictive Practices Court