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Proposals from a Government consultation on how to amend medicines
legislation in the event of an influenza pandemic have been met
with approval by the majority of respondents. These measures included
extending the emergency supply to 28 days and implementing the supply
at the earliest opportunity, rather than waiting for a pandemic.
However, the initiative to supply patients with unused and expired
medicines was opposed by a significant minority and those in support
emphasised the need for explicit conditions and guidance. The majority
of respondents also disagreed with a proposal to stop emergency
legislation immediately after the pandemic, instead recommending
that a two to six month recovery period would allow for a return
to normality in the production of medicines and the supply chain.
The Government accepted this suggestion and confirmed that many
of the possible changes will now be taken forward for further consideration
in the required statutory consultations. These will be led by the
Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the
Home Office (HO). The summary of responses is available online.
Source: The Pharmaceutical Journal, 31 May 2008
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