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Written question asked by Philippa Whitford (Scottish National Party) on Tuesday, 7 March 2023, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 14 March 2023 (named day). A holding answer was provided on Tuesday, 14 March 2023. A substantive answer was provided by Will Quince (Conservative) on Thursday, 16 March 2023 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Medical Equipment: Imports

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent representations his Department has received from (a) MedTech Directorate and (b) the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency on the (i) import of (A) urine drainage bags and (B) other medical devices, (ii) security of supply of those devices and (iii) cost to the NHS of imposing six per cent import tariffs on those devices.

Answer

The Secretary of State has received no representations on these matters from the Medical Technologies Directorate or the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.

With regards to import tariffs specifically, the Government implemented temporary tariff suspensions on a set of goods in 2021, including urine drainage bags, to support the healthcare response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Government has extended the majority of these suspensions until 31 December 2023.

Departmental officials are aware of plans to remove temporary tariff suspensions and are considering information provided by industry alongside wider United Kingdom government analysis.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
160304
Session
2022-23
Subjects
Import duties Imports Medical equipment Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency Medical Technologies Directorate Urine drainage bags
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk