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20 Jun 2007 : Column 1898W—continued
Ms Rosie Winterton:
The Department’s internal security report has already confirmed that a password was not introduced to protect the data, despite the Medical Training Application Service contract
specifying that access would be controlled by a system of file privileges requiring an allocated username and password.
Drugs: Counterfeit Manufacturing
Dr. Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what her estimate is of the number of patients supplied with counterfeit (a) Plavix, (b) Casodex and (c) Zyprexa; and what assessment she has made of the consequent risk posed to patient health; [142938]
(2) if she will plan an urgent review of UK preparedness to deal with the risk to patient safety of counterfeit medicines; [142939]
(3) whether new measures are being considered to stop counterfeit medicines reaching patients; [142940]
(4) what resources she plans to dedicate to tackling the risks posed by the supply of counterfeit medicines in the next three years; [142941]
(5) what her assessment is of the scale of the risk in Europe from the supply of counterfeit medicines; [142942]
(6) if she will make a statement on the four recent class 1 recalls of counterfeit medicines found in the UK legitimate supply chain; [142943]
(7) what assessment she has made of a possible link between suppliers of counterfeit medicines and organised crime; [142944]
(8) what resources she plans to commit to tackling the illegal trade in counterfeit medicines in the next three years. [142945]
Caroline Flint: The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is currently conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the recent penetration of counterfeit Casodex, Zyprexa and Plavix into the regulated supply chain which led to the class 1 recalls. The number of patients affected will not be known until the completion of the recall and the investigation.
A class 1 recall, a system to recall medicines with immediate effect, was undertaken because initial analysis has shown a reduced amount of the correct active ingredient present in each of the counterfeit products. Counterfeit products commonly contain reduced quantities of active pharmaceutical ingredients. These are unlikely to have been manufactured to good manufacturing standards and may contain impurities which put health at risk. The class 1 recalls were considered necessary as evidence suggested these products may have reached pharmacy and patient level.
The extent of counterfeit medicine in circulation worldwide is difficult to estimate. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has published estimates suggesting up to 10 per cent. of medicines globally are counterfeit. This is more prevalent in developing countries and less so in developed nations. Within developed nations WHO estimate that up to 1 per cent. of medicines may be counterfeit. The European Commission has recognised that counterfeiting is a growing problem within the European Union and has undertaken a study to identify any legislative and regulatory weaknesses with a view to exploring policy options. As with all other member states, the United
Kingdom has provided information on local experiences, statistics and strategies associated with combating counterfeiting.
The MHRA is developing a strategy which will address the risks to patient safety from counterfeit medicines by providing a comprehensive approach through the implementation of strategic and operational measures to minimise the risk of counterfeit medicines reaching patients through both the regulated and unregulated supply chains. This strategy is being reviewed to take into account the recent incidents and subsequent intelligence gathered from industry and our international counterparts. Resource issues are part of this strategy. The strategy will be published later this year.
MHRA works closely with law enforcement and other regulatory bodies both nationally and internationally. MHRA hosts regular meetings with stakeholders within industry, law enforcement and regulatory bodies, intelligence concerning counterfeit medicines is reviewed and assessed.
Strong links exist between the MHRA and other law enforcement agencies. MHRA works closely with the Serious and Organised Crime Agency to establish links between organised crime and counterfeit medicines.
Drugs: Health Education
Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the results of the evaluation of the drugs awareness campaign Frank Brain Warehouse will be published; and if she will make a statement. [142519]
Caroline Flint: Evaluation of the FRANK drugs information campaign is conducted annually to track awareness and impact of FRANK messages to young people. Research fieldwork for the campaign year ending 31 March has been completed and the data are currently being analysed. This data will include measures of the effectiveness of the Brain Warehouse advertising campaign, the prime objective of which was to communicate to young people how the regular use of cannabis can lead to mental health problems. A summary of the full campaign evaluation will be published on www.drugs.gov.uk in the week commencing 16 July 2007.
Drugs: Misuse
Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people are receiving treatment for drug addiction in Stoke-on-Trent; and what estimate has been made of (a) the number of drug addicts in Stoke-on-Trent and (b) the number not in treatment. [143346]
Caroline Flint: The information requested is not centrally available in the format requested. The Department collects data on drug treatment at drug action team (DAT) level, rather than by geographical area. The most recent data, 2004-05, available for Staffordshire DAT, which includes Stoke on Trent is as follows:
Estimated number of Problematical Drug Users (PDUs): 2,975
Estimated number of PDUs not in treatment: 1,410
Notes:
PDUs are defined as crack/opiate users.
The PDU estimate was conducted by Glasgow university for the Home Office.
The figures provided are estimates and as such, they may differ from the actual figures.
Mr. Greenway: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the adequacy of primary care trust commissioning plans with relation to the treatment of addictions. [143766]
Ms Rosie Winterton [holding answer 18 June 2007]: Primary care trusts (PCTs) are expected to commission services based on the needs of their local population. As part of this the needs of individuals who have a form of addiction should be a component of a PCT’s commissioning plan. Strategic health authorities are responsible for the performance management of PCTs.
Drugs: Research
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health further to the announcement of 7 June 2007, Official Report, column 30WS, on medicines development, how much financial support the Government have committed to the production and dissemination of the leaflet; and if she will make a statement. [143627]
Caroline Flint:
The Department of Health and the Department of Trade and Industry contributed £25,000 and £20,000 respectively to the Coalition for
Medical Progress in March 2007 for the writing, design, print and distribution of the leaflet on medicines development. The leaflet is available in the Library.
The leaflet was produced in order to raise general public awareness about how medicines are developed, and covers the use of animals in medicines research and testing, through to clinical trials and licensing. It will be available for patients in around 60 per cent. of general practitioner surgeries in England from autumn 2007.
General Practitioners: Eastern Region
Mr. Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) general practitioner surgeries and (b) single-handed general practitioner surgeries there were in (i) Suffolk, (ii) Bedfordshire, (iii) Cambridgeshire, (iv) Essex, (v) Hertfordshire, (vi) Norfolk and (vii) England in each year since 1997. [143955]
Andy Burnham: The information requested is not available in the format requested. However, information is available by strategic health authority (SHA)/primary care trust (PCT) area. Table one includes information relating to general practitioner (GP) practices in the former SHAs and PCTs in the east of England area up to September 2005. Table two provides information on GP practices for the reconfigured SHA and PCT areas for 2006.
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