Written question asked by Lord Colwyn (Conservative), in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 8 May 2001. It was answered by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath (Labour) on Tuesday, 8 May 2001.

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Hunt of Kings Heath, Lord

Question

What progress is being made by the Medicines Control Agency in discussions at the European Commission Pharmaceutical Committee in relation to the proposed traditional medicines directive; and what assessment they have made of the likelihood of those discussions leading to a directive that would meet the Government's objective of securing, in European law, a safe home for herbal remedies currently marketed under Section 12 of the Medicines Act 1968 as medicines not requiring a product licence; and what steps they are taking to ensure that the provisions of the proposed European traditional medicines directive (a) do not restrict or compromise the ability to continue to market in the United Kingdom herbal products which are currently legitimately on the market; and (b) does not impose upon traditional herbal remedies a technical compliance regime based upon criteria established in the Medicines Directive 65/65 and related legislation for pharmaceutical products; and when they expect the Medicines Control Agency to submit written comments to the European Commission following discussions on the proposed traditional medicines directive at the European Pharmaceutical Committee meeting on 5 April; and whether they will publish those comments; and whether the provisions of the proposed European traditional medicines directive will unduly limit product innovation and development in natural remedies. [HL 2042;HL 2043;HL 2044;HL 2045;HL 2046].

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Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

624 c367-70WA; HL 2042;HL 2043;HL 2044;HL 2045;HL 2046

Session

2000-01

Subjects

Complementary medicine Licensing EU law Drugs EU action Regulation Herbal medicine