§ Mr. AshleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what information he has as to the extent to which patients suffered photosensitivity after taking Opren could be vulnerable to acute radiation skin reaction; and, if appropriate, if he will advise consultants to identify such patients before recommending radiation treatment.
§ Mr. MellorI am aware of a case in theLancet of 15 October 1988 describing an acute radiation-induced cutaneous reaction in a patient with persistent photosensitivity who had been treated previously with Opren. It is normal medical practice for radiotherapists to check patients' medical history before treatment in order to identify possible factors such as a history of photosensitivity which might cause a skin reaction to radiotherapy. Such possible risks have to be weighed against the benefits of radiotherapy and risks and benefits of other possible treatments.