§ Mr. Michael McNair-Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what compensation has been made available for people who have suffered serious side effects from taking steroids, particularly when these drugs were first marketed.
§ Mr. NewtonQuestions of compensation for individuals are matters to be pursued with the companies concerned and where necessary through the courts. Information about individual compensation settlements is not collected centrally.
§ Mr. Michael McNair-Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what advice has been issued to 569W regional health authorities about safe dosages of steroids; and what warnings about side effects are required to be given by doctors to patients who have been prescribed these drugs.
§ Mr. NewtonNo special advice about safe dosages of steroids has been issued to regional health authorities. The British National Formulary, which is sent to all doctors, contains advice on safe dosages and on appropriate and inappropriate uses of steroids. Guidance on use and details of known side-effects are also contained in the data sheets which are supplied to all doctors for medicinal products, such as steroids, which are available only on prescription. It is for doctors to decide in each case what warnings about side-effects should be given to patients.