Off-patent Drugs Bill

Debate between Nick Thomas-Symonds and Alistair Burt

Friday 6th November 2015 Commons Chamber

[Alistair Burt]

I will take interventions, but it is only fair to the House that I respond to the debate and answer some of the charges that have been made—[Interruption.] It is not disgraceful; it is the right answer.

[Nick Thomas-Symonds]

Will the right hon. Gentleman accept two points? First, he made clear his objections to the Bill, and they were firmly answered by the expertise of the hon. Member for Central Ayrshire (Dr Whitford). Secondly, the Government have had a chance to put forward a non-legislative solution to the problem in the past year, but they have completely failed to do so, so why is he still refusing to allow the Bill to proceed to Committee?

[Alistair Burt]

After I have dealt with the other interventions, I will deal with the actions since last year’s Bill.

--- Later in debate ---

[Alistair Burt]

I am happy to be corrected in relation to procedure. The procedure of the House allows the Minister to speak until 2.30 pm. [Interruption.] I am not obliged to do so—that is correct—but I am choosing to do so because I believe that I would not be performing my duty if I were to allow a Bill that I think is wrong and potentially harmful to go through.

[Nick Thomas-Symonds]

rose—

[Alistair Burt]

I am not going to take any further interventions; otherwise, I will take it that the House does not want to hear from me. I have to make some progress.

--- Later in debate ---

[Alistair Burt]

Not at the moment, because this point is absolutely crucial to put on the record.

Prescribing in that way is part and parcel of normal, everyday clinical practice, as the hon. Member for Central Ayrshire confirmed. It is very common in prescribing for children and in treating some forms of pain. Most doctors, particularly GPs, will do it every day in their clinical practice. That has already been covered in relation to tamoxifen and raloxifene for the prevention of familial breast cancer. As was rightly identified by the hon. Member for Torfaen, the issue is compounded when drugs come off patent and new evidence suggests that they would be appropriate in the treatment of new indications.

The hon. Gentleman has gathered a lot of support for the Bill, but it does give the impression that such drugs are not being made available to patients. It also suggests that licensing is required to make these drugs available for patients, and that a NICE technology appraisal is required as well.

[Nick Thomas-Symonds]

I did not say that.

[Alistair Burt]

If the hon. Gentleman is happy to say that that is not the impression given, I am pleased to correct what I said.

[Nick Thomas-Symonds]

I never said that the drugs were not available. I said that they could theoretically be prescribed, but that it did not happen consistently by sector or across the country. That is what I said. It is on the record.

[Alistair Burt]

In that case, I am more than happy to again let the message go out from the Chamber today that these drugs are available and can be prescribed. Where it is clinically appropriate, they should be prescribed. Seeking this legislation will not change that availability.

Members of the House are doing a highly effective job of bringing their constituents’ concerns to the attention of Ministers and asking our help to resolve this issue. We are not aware of colleagues bringing examples of people who have been refused treatment. It is vital to know if there is evidence of people being refused treatment. As I said, the clinician’s letter that the hon. Member for Torfaen read out was wrong. Unless there is a clinical reason for not supplying the drug, there is nothing to prevent the doctor from doing so.

--- Later in debate ---

[Alistair Burt]

I certainly did myself a disservice with a silly, offhand remark. I entirely accept that. It is not like me and I apologise.

The stance that I am taking as the Minister representing the Government is that I do not believe this is the right vehicle to achieve what Members want. I am also concerned—

[Nick Thomas-Symonds]

On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. With the greatest of respect to the Minister, he has had a bit more time since the last point of order and it is quite clear that he has run out of arguments and is now talking to the clock. I beg to move that the Question on closure be put.