---

Department of Health

First, I declare an interest in that I am currently a lay member of the General Medical Council and it is mentioned with other regulatory bodies and related associate bodies once in the report. I should put that on record. This is my maiden speech as Chair of the Health Committee and the attendance resembles that for my maiden speech in 1983. The Committee’s report on the influence of the pharmaceutical industry raised questions about how it is regulated and how it regulates itself. As hon. Members know, the pharmaceutical industry is the third most important United Kingdom industry economically after tourism and finance. The report acknowledged its valuable contribution to patient health and the economy. Although I shall mention some problems and some hon. Members might view the industry negatively, I shall put the debate in context by reminding hon. Members of the Health Committee’s first conclusion in its report. Paragraph 336 states:"““The UK-based pharmaceutical industry is large, profitable and highly competitive; it has understandably been described as ‘world class and a jewel in the crown of the UK economy’. The industry has an outstanding record in developing new medicines, and is a major source of funding of medical research. The industry’s products include many life-saving and important drugs which greatly benefit many people and contribute substantially to national health.””" That is absolutely right. Although I am about to say, ““however””, that paragraph places the industry in the context in which we should all view it: its contribution to the nation. However, the Committee had several concerns about medical research, the conduct of clinical trials, medicines marketing, the information provided to patients and prescribers and the independence of the regulatory system. Overriding themes of the report included the lack of transparency in medicines research and regulation, and the potential effect of that on patient safety.