The Medicines and Health products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the Government body responsible for the safety and licensing of medicines in the United Kingdom, is not aware of any legal loopholes for the supply of human unlicensed medicinal products.<\/p>
<\/p>
Before a human medicine can be marketed or sold in the UK, a number of licences are required. The product itself must have a licence called a \u2018marketing authorisation\u2019 unless an exemption applies.<\/p>
<\/p>
UK medicines legislation contains a provision for the supply of an unlicensed medicine (commonly known as \u2018specials\u2019) which is provided for by way of an exemption from the requirement for a marketing authorisation. In the interests of public health this exemption is narrowly drawn because these products, unlike products holding a marketing authorisation, will not have been assessed and approved against the criteria of safety, quality and efficacy in the UK.<\/p>
<\/p>
Unlicensed medicines can be manufactured in the UK under European Union good manufacturing practice or imported into the UK by the holder of an appropriate licence issued by the MHRA.<\/p>
<\/p>
Notifications prior to importation of unlicensed medicines are required and are assessed by the MHRA and objections may be raised where there are prohibitive safety or quality concerns. Any person that sells or supplies an unlicensed medicine is required to keep records and report suspected adverse drug reactions.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4065", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dame Jackie Doyle-Price"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Thurrock"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Jackie Doyle-Price"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-07-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-07-06T12:28:35.367Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "17"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-07-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Drugs: Licensing"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will close the legal loopholes to make the market for unlicensed medicinal products less restricted.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4602", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Wera Hobhouse"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bath"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Wera Hobhouse"} ], "uin" : "160334"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/931510", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department of Health and Social Care"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/931510/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Responding to suicide and self-harm in children and young people is a key priority in the National Suicide Prevention Strategy. The Department works with a range of stakeholders on suicide prevention, including voluntary and charitable sector organisations, through the National Suicide Prevention Strategy Advisory Group. The Department welcomes the opportunity to work with any organisation, including the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC), on suicide prevention issues.<\/p>
<\/p>
More broadly, the Government supports the NSPCC through an £8 million grant over four years (up to 2020), as a contribution to funding both ChildLine and the NSPCC\u2019s National Helpline (for anyone with concerns or worries about a child).<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4065", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dame Jackie Doyle-Price"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Thurrock"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Jackie Doyle-Price"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-07-02", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-07-02T14:06:27.167Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "17"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-06-26", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Mental Health: Children"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans his Department has to work with NSPCC to reduce the rate of children experiencing suicidal thoughts.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4602", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Wera Hobhouse"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bath"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Wera Hobhouse"} ], "uin" : "157837"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/931511", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/931511/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Knife crime can have devastating consequences and the government is determined to take action to address serious violence. Sentencing is a matter for our independent judiciary but anyone who continues to carry a knife in public can expect to face a custodial sentence.<\/p>
<\/p>
In 2015, Parliament agreed a minimum custodial sentence for a second or subsequent conviction for possession of a bladed article or offensive weapon. For adults, this is a minimum sentence of 6 months\u2019 imprisonment whilst for 16 and 17 year olds the Act created a minimum custodial sentence of a 4 month Detention and Training Order (DTO). Since the introduction of the minimum custodial term people caught carrying a knife for a second time are now more likely than ever before to go to prison \u2013 recent statistics show that 83% of offenders received a custodial sentence for repeat possession offences in 2017.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4137", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Rory Stewart"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Penrith and The Border"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Rory Stewart"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-07-02", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-07-02T16:59:46.44Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-06-26", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Offensive Weapons: Sentencing"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether he has plans to increase the length of prison sentences recommended for people caught in possession of bladed weapons in public.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4602", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Wera Hobhouse"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bath"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Wera Hobhouse"} ], "uin" : "157838"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/931512", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/931512/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Serious Violence Strategy represents a step change in the way we think and respond to violence, including gangs. The strategy sets out the key risk factors which may mean a young person may have a greater propensity to get involved in crime than would otherwise be the case such as school absence and peer pressure.<\/p>
The strategy also outlines the importance of early intervention to tackle criminal involvement by young people and the importance of providing positive activities to help them lead productive lives free from crime. We are also supporting work to build local resilience and awareness by match funding local area reviews, which help local areas to respond to gang-related threats.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4399", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Victoria Atkins"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Louth and Horncastle"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Victoria Atkins"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-07-02", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "157840"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-07-02T16:33:38.79Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-06-26", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Crime Prevention"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans his Department has to tackle the socio-economic factors behind knife and gang-related crime.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4602", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Wera Hobhouse"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bath"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Wera Hobhouse"} ], "uin" : "157839"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/931515", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/931515/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Serious Violence Strategy represents a step change in the way we think and respond to violence, including gangs. The strategy sets out the key risk factors which may mean a young person may have a greater propensity to get involved in crime than would otherwise be the case such as school absence and peer pressure.<\/p>
The strategy also outlines the importance of early intervention to tackle criminal involvement by young people and the importance of providing positive activities to help them lead productive lives free from crime. We are also supporting work to build local resilience and awareness by match funding local area reviews, which help local areas to respond to gang-related threats.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4399", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Victoria Atkins"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Louth and Horncastle"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Victoria Atkins"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-07-02", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "157839"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-07-02T16:33:38.837Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-06-26", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Gangs: Crimes of Violence"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps his Department plans to take to proactively tackle the socio-economic root causes of gang violence in communities.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4602", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Wera Hobhouse"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bath"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Wera Hobhouse"} ], "uin" : "157840"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/929337", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/929337/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The main purpose of Royal Visits is to strengthen diplomatic, economic and people-to-people relations between the UK and the countries and places visited. Members of the Royal Family undertaking official visits for the UK receive a range of factual briefings in the lead-up to the visits. It would not be appropriate to comment on the specific details of these briefings.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1201", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Alistair Burt"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North East Bedfordshire"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Alistair Burt"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-06-28", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "previousAnswerVersion" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/929337/answer/previousversion/66217", "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1201", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Alistair Burt"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North East Bedfordshire"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Alistair Burt"} } , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-06-28T13:53:51.813Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "16"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-06-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Duke of Cambridge: Speeches"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what advice his Department plans to provide on Prince William's response to any questions on recent killings in Gaza which are raised during the five day visit starting on 24 June 2018 to Jordan, Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4602", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Wera Hobhouse"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bath"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Wera Hobhouse"} ], "uin" : "156645"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/927729", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/927729/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "