DENTISTS' PETITION ON USE OF PATENT MEDICINES

Mr Lee Choon Eng asked the Minister for Health what decision he has reached on the petition of Class "B" dentists about the use of patent medicine.

Mr A. J. Braga: Mr Speaker, Sir, I have received no petition from Class "B" dentists about the use of patent medicines. There are, in fact, no such dentists as Class "B". Neither is there any restriction against the use of patent medicines outside the Poisons Ordinance. I had however received a petition from the Singapore Chinese Dentists Association asking that Division II dentists be allowed to use certain anti-biotics, sulfonilamides, penicillin cones and analgesics. A reply was sent to them on 10th September, 1956, stating that Government regretted that it did not propose to legislate for the withdrawal of the amended rules.

The hon. Member may perhaps have in mind a petition addressed to the Chief Minister with a copy to me. I should like to make it clear that the Poisons Rules are specific in denying all Division II dentists the use of certain poisons that include anti-biotics, sulfonilamides, penicillin cones and analgesics. There is no restriction against the use of patent medicines.

Mr Lee Choon Eng: Was there a copy of the petition, sent by the Singapore Chinese Dentists Association addressed to the Chief Minister, sent to the Minister for Health?

Mr Braga: A petition from the Singapore Chinese Dentists Association was sent to me and there was another petition sent to the Chief Minister with a copy addressed to me.

Mr Lee Choon Eng: Mr Speaker, Sir, has the Minister taken any action on the petition which was referred to as having been addressed to the Chief Minister dated 4th March, 1957?

Mr Braga: I think I have given an answer to that.