HC Deb 11 May 1970 vol 801 cc821-2
41. Mr. Allason

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will now introduce a child-proof pill container, following the analysis of the study by the Medical Care Research Unit.

Dr. John Dunwoody

The analysis of the field work by the Medical Care Research Unit is not yet complete. The results of this study, when available, will need to be considered together with those of other related inquiries mentioned in my Answer on 14th April to my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow, East (Mr. Roebuck).—[Vol. 799, c. 229.]

Mr. Allason

But since 10,000 children a year are accidentally poisoned, of whom 40 die, is there not a strong case for urgent action to take advantage of containers which are already available, even if they are not 100 per cent. effective?

Dr. Dunwoody

I agree that there is a problem, and my Department is urgently considering what additional steps it can take to reduce it. The essential safeguard is to keep all medicines out of the reach of children, preferably under lock and key. I have personally examined so-called childproof containers, and I am not convinced that they are necessarily an enormous step forward. Some of those I have seen could be opened by a considerable number of intelligent three-year-old and fouryear-old children.

Dr. Winstanley

Would the hon. Gentleman agree that, in addition to persuading people to keep all medicines and drugs out of children's reach, it would be helpful if he could persuade people not to hoard medicines and pills which they have finished with for some future unspecified occasion but to throw them away?

Dr. Dunwoody

I agree. The practice of hoarding drugs is a potentially dangerous and foolish one, and I advise patients not to do it. I would urge them strongly to throw medicines and drugs away or, preferably, to return them to the pharmacist from whom they came.