§ Ms. PrimaroloTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what adverse reports have been received by the Committee on Safety of Medicines about the effect of benzodiazepines on patients.
§ Mr. MellorTo date the Committee on Safety of Medicines has received over 750 reports of adverse130W reactions which may be associated with benzodiazepines. These reports describe over 300 different kinds of reactions. A report of a suspected adverse drug reaction does not necessarily mean a causal relationship. The committee carefully monitors all issues of drug safety and where necessary issues advice by means of its bulletin "Current Problems" to doctors, dentists and pharmacists. In the case of benzodiazepines, "Current Problems" has drawn attention to various adverse reactions in February 1978 (No. 3), February 1981 (No. 5) and January 1988 (No. 21). Copies are in the Library.
§ Ms. PrimaroloTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what information his Department has as to the most widely accepted medical assessment of the average withdrawal period from benzodiazepines.
§ Mr. FreemanThe hon. Member may wish to refer to the Departmental publication "Guidelines of Good Clinical Practice in the Treatment of Drug misuse" which includes advice on withdrawal from benzodiazepines. A copy of this publication is in the Library.
§ Ms. PrimaroloTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his estimate of how many children under the age of 16 years are addicted to benzodiazepines.
§ Mr. MellorWe do not have this information.
§ Ms. PrimaroloTo ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he will discuss with the leaders of the pharmaceutical industry the setting up of a compensation scheme for those people whose lives have been ruined or damaged by benzodiazepine addiction.
§ Mr. MellorWe have no plans to do so.
§ Ms. PrimaroloTo ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he will take steps to reduce benzodiazepine prescriptions in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. MellorThe Government have made every effort to ensure that doctors are aware of the problems which can arise from prolonged treatment with benzodiazepines and to encourage good prescribing habits. We have no plans to introduce restrictions.
§ Ms. PrimaroloTo ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department has sought to encourage the development of guidelines for the maximum recommended period for children under the age of 16 years to be prescribed benzodiazepines; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MellorNo. It is up to doctors to prescribe the drugs properly in accordance with the guidance available to them.
§ Mr. FearnTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of the price of benzodiazepines is the on cost by pharmacists.
§ Mr. MellorWhen pharmacists dispense a medicine, they are paid, in addition to the appropriate dispensing fee and container allowance, the basic price of the medicine, less a discount deduction, averaging 8.3 per cent. of the basic price, plus on cost of 5 per cent. of the basic price.