§ 2.45 p.m.
Baroness VICKERSMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the drug Primodos is still being used for pregnancy tests, in view of recent statements in the Press concerning the drug.
§ Lord WELLS-PESTELLMy Lords, I am aware of reports that some doctors have continued to prescribe Primodos for pregnancy testing in spite of advice issued by the Committee on Safety of Medicines in 1975 and again in 1977. For several years Primodos has not been recommended by the manufacturers for pregnancy testing and has carried a warning that it should not be used in pregnancy. Doctors should be well aware of the contra-indications for this purpose. This and similar products have, however, until recently been marketed for other gynaecological conditions. Whether or not to prescribe a product for a particular purpose is a matter for the professional judgment of the doctor treating the patient. I understand that the manufacturers of Primodos discontinued marketing it in February 1978.
Baroness VICKERSMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord for that very informative reply. Can he tell me whether any more of this drug is going on the market? I have been told that it is still being put on the market. Secondly, since there are so many well-known pregnancy tests it would be better to stick to them, but could the doctors warn perhaps junior doctors and others who might be using this drug, not to use it in the future?
§ Lord WELLS-PESTELLMy Lords, I said that the manufacturers have discontinued manufacturing it. I accept the implication in the question asked by the noble Baroness that there may still be some supplies of the drug in various chemists. I can only say that this is a matter for the doctors. The doctors were notified individually by the Committee on Safety of Medicines in 1975. They were again notified individually in 1977. One would hope that this is widely known and that they will not continue to prescribe it.