Pharmaceutical Industry

34.

Mr. Ashley
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what consultations he has had with the pharmaceutical industry about the export of its products.

Mr. Ennals
My Department maintains close links with the pharmaceutical industry. We have an important interest in its exports which last year reached some £650 million—nearly 40 per cent. going to less developed countries. Our requirement that export certificates should bear the batch number of the  medicine facilitates the maintenance of safety and quality controls over exported products.