§ 20. Sir B. Jannerasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the drug meclozine, a travel sickness pill, causes deformity in infants if taken by pregnant women; that its sale has been stopped in Sweden, Denmark and Norway, following Swedish observation of the effects of the drug; whether it is issuable under National Health prescription; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PowellI understand this effect is so far not established, but chemists have been advised to supply certain preparations containing the drug on prescription only; no country, to my knowledge, has prohibited sale.
§ Sir B. JannerDoes the Minister say that he has inquired as to whether the sale has been prohibited in the countries referred to in the Question because, according to the information that I have received, that is the case, and will he make very careful inquiries to see if the drug is one which should be given even under prescription?
§ Mr. PowellYes, Sir. I have inquired and the result of my inquiry is as I have told the hon. Member.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonIs it not a fact that the manufacturer in one country at least, I believe it is Sweden, has withdrawn the drug and, if that is the case, ought not the Minister to make it clear to the House?
§ Mr. PowellWe are talking about a drug that enters into a large number of preparations and I am not aware of the incident to which the hon. Member referred.
§ Sir G. NicholsonWhen my right hon. Friend says that he advises chemists only to supply the drug on prescription, surely that implies that he is highly suspicious of this drug, and in view of the terrible tragedies which happened recently and strong public opinion, does he not think that he should go further than merely advise?
§ Mr. PowellThis drug has been referred to the Poisons Board, but in advance of any decision by the Board the Pharmaceutical Society thought it right to give this advice to their members.
§ Dr. StrossIn view of the fact that we now suspect that women in the early months of pregnancy are not able to detoxify abnormal substances which they take by mouth, a power which they regain after the first three or four months, is not the best advice to give to women in early pregnancy to take no drugs of any kind if they can possibly avoid it?
§ Mr. PowellI am sure that the consideration which the hon. Gentleman mentioned in his supplementary question will be in the minds of the medical profession in advising their patients.