Off-patent Drugs Bill 2015-16
require the Secretary of State to seek licences for off-patent drugs in new indications; to require the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence to conduct technology appraisals for off-patent drugs in new indications; and for connected purposes.
Private Members' Bill (Ballot Bill)
The Off-patent Drugs Bill was a Ballot Bill tabled by Nick Thomas-Symonds.
Is this Bill currently before Parliament?No. This Bill is not under active consideration by Parliament, as it was introduced during the previous 2015-16 Session.
Whose idea is this Bill?As a Private Members' Bill, this Bill represents the individual initiative of an MP (Nick Thomas-Symonds), not the Government.
What type of Bill is this?20 Ballot Bills places are awarded by lottery to backbench MP's at the start of each Session. These Bills receive precedence for debate in the Commons and a handful will succeed in becoming enacted into law.
The higher chance of success means MPs who win a ballot slot are frequently lobbied by groups wishing to have legislation tabled on their behalf, but the choice of bill ultimately remains with the MP.
So is this going to become a law?No. This Bill did not complete it's passage before the Session completed and is no longer before Parliament. However, it may have been re-introduced under a similar name in a subsequent Session.
How can I find out exactly what this Bill does?The most straightforward information is contained in the initial Explanatory Notes for the Bill.
Would you like to know more?See these Glossary articles for more information: Ballot Bill, Private Members Bill, Process of a Bill
Official Bill Page Initial Explanatory Notes Initial Briefing papers All Bill Debates
Next Event: There is no future stage currently scheduled for this bill
Last Event: Friday 6th November 2015 - 2nd reading: House of Commons
Bill Progession through Parliament