Off-patent Drugs Bill

Debate between Nick Thomas-Symonds and Liz McInnes

Friday 6th November 2015 Commons Chamber

[Nick Thomas-Symonds]

I agree entirely with my hon. Friend.

[Liz McInnes (Heywood and Middleton) (Lab)]

We are talking about people who support the Bill. The Association Of the British Pharmaceutical Industry says that it supports the principle of the Bill, but that it is concerned that it could discourage the development of new medicines. Does my hon. Friend agree that the Bill in no way precludes the normal process of research and development for the manufacture and discovery of new drugs?

[Nick Thomas-Symonds]

I agree entirely with my hon. Friend. Repurposing is becoming increasingly common. Approximately 10% of the Brain Tumour Research portfolio is in repurposed drugs. For the Cure Parkinson’s Trust, the figure is 50%, and for the Alzheimer’s Society it is 13.6%. My hon. Friend makes a powerful point.