§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he is taking to monitor the prescription of oral contraceptives given to women over the age of 35 years, in the light of the reports showing the increased risk at these ages for women cigarette smokers and the letter sent to all doctors by the Committee on Safety of Medicines.
§ Mr. MoyleThe Committee on Safety of Medicines, whose role is to advise on the safety, quality and efficiency of medicines, has informed all doctors that the findings of the two studies recently reported in theLancet are in line with the trend noted in earlier investigations that the risk of arterial thrombosis with oral contraceptives increases with age and that this risk is aggravated by cigarette smoking. At the same time the Presidents of the Royal College of General Practitioners and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaeocologists issued a statement which set out what they see as the implications for contraceptive practice. The use of oral contraceptives and the possible risks to women will continue to be kept under review by all concerned, and special studies instituted whenever these are considered necessary.