§ Mr. Meacherasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons received heparin in each of the last five years as a treatment for deep-vein thrombosis; what percentage for each year of those who died from pulmonary embolism were treated with heparin; what are the equivalent percentage figures for other European countries; and what evidence he has on the effects of the increased use of heparin treatment on deep-vein thrombosis and death from pulmonary embolism.
§ Mrs. CurrieStatistics are not maintained centrally on the treatment received by patients suffering from deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism either in this or any other European country. Heparin is one of a range of treatments available for these conditions, and it is for each patient's doctor to decide whether its use would be appropriate.
No information is immediately available about any evidence relating the increased use of heparin on deep vein thrombosis with death from pulmonary embolism, but further inquiries are being made. I shall write to the hon. Member when these are complete.