§ 46. Dr. D. Johnsonasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the number of deaths from accidental poisoning by barbituric acid and its derivatives have shown a progressive increase from 40 in 1945 to 127 in 1950 and 223 in 1956, thus having quadrupled in twelve years; and, in view of the common use of these drugs on doctor's prescriptions as sedatives, what precautionary steps he proposes to take to arrest this increase.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithYes. In 1954 and 1956 the attention of doctors in the Health Service was drawn in prescribers' notes to this disquieting increase. I have asked the editorial committee of this publication to consider whether a further 21 reminder of the facts would be helpful to doctors who, by prescribing with special prudence and advising patients on care in the use of these drugs (which are available on prescription only), can do most to help reduce the risks of accidental poisoning.
§ Dr. JohnsonIs my right hon. and learned Friend aware that a large part of this increase in deaths is among children under five years of age? Is he aware that in certain hospitals there is a practice of not dispensing these tablets without giving some special warning as to the risk of children getting hold of them? Will he contemplate issuing a regulation of some kind to the effect that they should not be dispensed by chemists without a label giving such a warning affixed to them?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithI am happy to say that the incidence of deaths among children is not so large as my hon. Friend appears to apprehend. Of the accidental deaths from barbiturates in 1956, only one was of a person under fifteen years of age.