§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will classify the drugs whose safety has been discussed by the Committee on Safety of Medicines in the last year according to whether the number of prescriptions issued annually for the drug was (a) over five million, (b) over two million, (c) over one million, (d) over half a million and (e) under half a million;
(2) in the last five years how many drugs have been discussed by the Committee on Safety of Medicines; in how many cases: (a) the drug was voluntarily withdrawn by the manufacturer, (b) withdrawn by order of the Committee, (c) had the usage changed on the advice or instructions of the Committee and (d) no regulatory action taken at the time or subsequently;
(3) how many drugs, whose safety is currently being assessed by the Committee on Safety of Medicines, have over 1 million prescriptions issued for them annually; and which are these drugs;
(4) if he will list the five drugs for which the monthly number of yellow card adverse reaction cards has increased most in the last six months; if he will give the latest figures for the monthly number of reports and the percentage increase;
(5) what procedures are adopted to ensure the integrity and independence of the Committee on Safety of Medicines when the safety of a drug is being discussed and members of the Committee have themselves or through their departments received money from the company manufacturing the drug;
(6) when the Committee on Safety of Medicines scrutinises the safety of a drug, which individuals, organisations and institutions are (a) informed and (b) requested to give their views or provide evidence; and, in particular, what information is given to the manufacturing company and what information is sought from it.
§ Mr. HayhoeI shall let the right hon. Member have replies as soon as possible.