Thank you for your letter of 29 June. It can't have been much fun to write, nor was I thrilled to read it. I am still waiting for some sign that the MCA feels there is something to be learned from all these judgements that have gone against it. Dr Munro's report is just the last in a series of responses to complaints from Social Audit, and each time the finding has upheld our right to receive better information than the Agency chose to provide.

I shall be seeking a referral to the Ombudsman. The issues in case seem very important, so does the context - a correspondence of around 200 letters, most of it characterised by inordinate delays.

I wonder if this particular situation seems as ironic to you as me? Here is the MCA doing its utmost to withhold information about its thoughts on DTCA - and covering up for the silence of independent expert advisory bodies. And there is the pharmaceutical industry now trumpeting about all the benefits and studiedly disregarding the risks - while actively courting "the expert patient", and talking in terms of "partnership" and "alliance" with consumer interests. I find this hard to stomach, but I expect you are made of stronger stuff.