MEDICINES BILL (Introduction of)

Dr Tan Eng Liang asked the Minister for Health and Home Affairs if the views of experts outside his Ministry and of interested organisations and associations are being sought in the drafting of the Medicines Bill, and when the Bill will be introduced.

The Minister of State for Health (Dr Ang Kok Peng) (for the Minister for Health and Home Affairs): Mr Speaker, Sir, it is not the usual practice to seek the views of interested organisations and associations at the stage when a law is being drafted. Nevertheless, a group of knowledgeable persons outside the Ministry of Health has been asked to study closely the final draft of the Medicines Bill with a view to advising on the principles and implications of the important provisions. This group of persons includes a senior lecturer in Pharmacy from the University of Singapore, a pharmacist in private practice and a general practitioner.

There are far too many organisations and associations with interest in medicinal products which makes seeking representative views at this stage impracticable. It is, however, proposed to send the Medicines Bill to a Select Committee after its Second Reading in Parliament. This will be the time when interested persons and organisations will be asked to submit their views and memoranda on the Bill.

The Medicines Bill will be presented to Parliament as soon as it is ready. This will be in about three months' time. It should, however, be noted that the Bill, being a complex piece of legislation, may have to be brought into effect in parts. The Medicines Act in the U.K., for example, has still not been completely enforced in all its sections, after it was passed by the British Parliament nearly six years ago.