§ Mr. AltonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what guidelines his Department issues for the use of over-the-counter tests for blood cholesterol levels;
(2) if his Department has any plans to regulate the sale and use of over-the-counter cholesterol tests.
§ Mr. FreemanWe have not issued any guidelines on the use of over-the-counter tests for blood cholesterol levels and there are no current plans to regulate the sale and use of such tests.
§ Mr. AltonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department has taken to establish the accuracy of over-the-counter tests for blood cholesterol levels.
§ Mr. FreemanThe Department is funding an evaluation of the two most commonly used machines for measuring blood cholesterol levels in the United Kingdom, involving testing both under laboratory conditions and in GP clinics. The work is being carried out by Mr. Peter Broughton of Wolfson research laboratories in Birmingham, and includes accuracy testing, and investigation of performance variation when carried out by skilled and non-laboratory trained operatives. The final report will be available by the end of the year.
§ Mr. AltonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans his Department has to introduce nation wide blood cholesterol level screening for adults; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreemanWe have invited the Standing Medical Advisory Committee to advise on the cost-effectiveness of wider cholesterol testing in the prevention and treatment of heart disease.