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Proprietary Medicines

Volume 951: debated on Tuesday 6 June 1978

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asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what consultations he plans with representatives of the advertising industry on the consequences for it of the Price Commission's report and recommendations on prices, costs and margins in the production and distribution of proprietary non-ethical medicines.

My right hon. Friend would be happy to consider any representations which the advertising industry may wish to make to him about this report.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what assessment he has made of the effects on employment in the proprietary medicine industry if the Price Commission's report and recommendation on prices, costs and margins in the production and distribution of proprietary non-ethical medicines were to be fully implemented.

My right hon. Friend will complete his assessment of the report when he has received representations from interested parties.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection why the Price Commission's report on prices, costs and margins in the production and distribution of proprietary non-ethical medicines was released to the Press, television and radio in advance of the stated embargoed time, when it had not been seen by the companies concerned, which were asked for comments by the media before they themselves had seen the report.

This report, like other Price Commission reports, was a parliamentary paper and my Department arranged for its publication and issue to the Press in accordance with normal practice for such papers.I understand that a television company published some of the contents of the report before publication time. I have looked into this and am satisfied that this story was written independently of my Department's arrangements for publication.