§ Mr. Robert Atkinsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what steps he is taking to ensure that full tests of drugs to be used by geriatric patients over the age of 65 years are done before use by the National Health Service;
(2) if he is satisfied with the Federal Drug Administration trials of drugs of United States origin proposed to be used in the United Kingdom with particular reference to potential patients over the age of 65 years.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeAll drugs used in patients over the age of 65 are already subject to the stringent testing requirements laid down by the licensing authority under the Medicines Act. In addition, with effect from 1 January 1985, all new drugs likely to be used in elderly patients in this country will be required to be tested in clinical studies in such patients in certain circumstances, for example, where the active ingredient in the new product is in the same class as those in existing products which are known to have produced adverse effects in elderly patients.