§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list in the Official Report the drugs which are accepted as contra-indicated during pregnancy; if he will indicate how hospitals, doctors, chemists and the public are made aware of contraindication of such drugs, whether on prescription or purchased over the counter; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. Vaughan[pursuant to his reply, 25 March 1981 c. 367–68]: Before medicinal products are licensed the possibility of their being harmful in pregnancy is considered by the Committee on Safety of Medicines. If it is not fully satisfied the application will be granted only on the strict condition that women of child-bearing potential are excluded from the licensed uses. Any product with a potential risk in pregnancy is restricted to supply only on prescription and specific warnings are included in the data sheet for prescribers. Information is, therefore, given in relation to specific products; the licensing authority has not compiled a composite list of all such products.
The Committee on Safety of Medicines has recently reminded doctors that drugs should not be given during pregnancy unless they are essential. Drugs approved for direct sale to the general public are regarded as having minimal risk.