§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will amend the medicine labelling regulations to ensure that non-active ingredients are clearly listed.
§ Mr. HayhoeMy Department hopes to begin formal consultations shortly with interested organisations about a package of measures designed to increase the information available to doctors, pharmacists and consumers about non-active ingredients in medicines. This may lead, among other things, to amendments to the Medicines (Labelling) Regulations. A copy of the Department's consultation letter will be placed in the Library as soon as it is issued.
§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what progress has been made since 1979 towards making information about the ingredients of medicines more widely available.
§ Mr. HayhoeI assume the hon. Member is referring to the availability of such information to patients and consumers. In the case of medicines which can be bought without a prescription, the names of the active ingredients must appear on the label and in any leaflet that is provided. This is a legal requirement and has been since before 1979. Arrangements for the labelling of prescribed430W medicines are different. In these circumstances it is for the prescribing doctor to decide what information is to be supplied. Usually the name of the medicine is stated on the label, together with instructions for use, but not details of the ingredients.