asked the Minister for Health whether his attention has been drawn to a resolution passed by the British Medical Association at its annual conference in Belfast on 20th July calling for the establishment of an independent and representative organisation to supervise the introduction of new drugs; and whether in view of the fears expressed by British and other doctors as to the dangers inherent in the present system of issuing new drugs he will now consider the establishment of such a supervisory organisation in this country.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Supervision of Drugs.
4.
I have seen press reports of the resolution referred to in the first part of the Deputy's question. With regard to the second part of the question I would refer the Deputy to the reply which I gave to his question of 26th June last in which I informed him of the resolution adopted by the 15th World Health Assembly in May which decided to arrange for the study of the scientific aspects of the clinical and pharmacological evaluation of pharmaceutical preparations. As I then indicated, any general policy evolved by the World Health Organisation will receive my careful consideration and, in the meantime, I shall take all reasonable steps open to me to safeguard the public interest.