Access To Medical Treatments (Innovation) Bill

Debate between Lindsay Hoyle and Nick Thomas-Symonds

Friday 29th January 2016 Commons Chamber

[Nick Thomas-Symonds]

I am grateful to Members across the House for their contributions and to the Life Sciences Minister for his clear response to the six probing new clauses. I am pleased to hear that the Government will accept amendments 10 and 13. As I said in my opening speech, having off-label treatments in the Bill and the database will make a significant difference and help move things forward. I was also pleased with his reassurance to the hon. Member for Central Ayrshire (Dr Whitford) that we will continue to review the system, as, I hope, the number of off-label treatments and prescriptions increases.

In view of the Minister’s commitments and acceptance of amendments 10 and 13, I do not propose to press new clauses 1, 2 and 3. New clauses 4, 5 and 6 are in the names of the hon. Members for Bury St Edmunds (Jo Churchill) and for Central Ayrshire (Dr Whitford). I beg to ask leave to withdraw the motion.

Clause, by leave, withdrawn.

Clause 1

Access to innovative medical treatments

Amendment made: 10, page 1, line 3, after “treatments” insert

“(including treatments consisting in the off-label use of medicines or the use of unlicensed medicines)”—(Chris Heaton-Harris.).

[Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle)]

We now come to amendment 1—