Debates between Nick Thomas-Symonds and Albert Owen during the 2015-2017 Parliament

Off-patent Drugs Bill

Debate between Nick Thomas-Symonds and Albert Owen
Friday 6th November 2015

(9 years, 1 month ago)

Commons Chamber
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Nick Thomas-Symonds Portrait Nick Thomas-Symonds
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I agree entirely with my hon. Friend. Twelve medical research charities back the Bill; the NHS clinical commissioners in England back the Bill; and the British Medical Association backs the Bill. More than 10,000 members of the public have written to their MP in support of it. That is in addition to the 20,000 who wrote last year to the former Member for Cardiff North. Four of the medical royal colleges support the Bill. Forty eminent clinicians wrote in recent weeks to The Daily Telegraph to support the Bill. It has incredibly wide support across parties and among the professions.

Albert Owen Portrait Albert Owen (Ynys Môn) (Lab)
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I congratulate my hon. Friend on the Bill and pay tribute to Jonathan Evans, a thoughtful Member of Parliament who introduced a Bill in the previous Parliament. In addition to the long list of experts that my hon. Friend has quoted, I am sure he has had other lobbying letters. I had one from a multiple sclerosis sufferer. He eloquently put his case and said: “Please be there to give us hope.” Does my hon. Friend agree that the Bill will give us hope for cures for the future?

Nick Thomas-Symonds Portrait Nick Thomas-Symonds
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I agree entirely with my hon. Friend.