Written question asked by Lord Beamish (Labour) on Monday, 29 April 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 25 June 2002. It was answered by Lord Hutton of Furness (Labour) on Tuesday, 25 June 2002 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if Powderject has applied for a licence for the smallpox vaccine; and if such a licence was included in the specification provided by his Department.

Answer: Mr. Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if Powderject has applied for a licence for the smallpox vaccine; and if such a licence was included in the specification provided by his Department. [53951] Mr. Hutton: The Department has bought an unlicensed smallpox vaccine. It is anticipated that the company will seek a licence at an appropriate time in the future. The company has agreed to abide by the new European Union guidelines, as set out by the European agency for the evaluation of medicinal products for the development of vaccinia based vaccines against smallpox. Currently, there are no smallpox vaccines available that are licensed.

Secondary information