§ Mr. Michael MorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice he has received on the use of hormone replacement therapy for the prevention of stroke and fractures of the femur in elderly women National Health Service patients.
§ Mr. FreemanI am advised that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) prevents bone loss in post-menopausal women and therefore reduces the risk of fractures. There is also evidence that HRT may provide additional protection against heart disease and strokes. Since there may be risks as well as benefits of such treatment for some people, the individual patient's suitability for HRT should be a matter for the clinical judgment of their doctor. The Medical Research Council has set up a specialist group to look at the further research required into HRT.