HC Deb 02 March 1989 vol 148 cc317-8W
Mr. Fearn

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the incidence of teratogenicity in babies born to women taking benzodiazepines.

Mr. Mellor

We do not hold this information.

Mr. Fearn

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information he has on the number of people who have died from major convulsions following benzodiapine withdrawal; and who collects and holds such information.

Mr. Mellor

There is no central register of those people taking benzodiazepine or other drugs. We do not therefore know how many people who have died of major convulsions were also suffering from withdrawal symptoms from a particular drug or drugs.

Mr. Fearn

To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department issues any specific advice on the prescribing of benzodiazepines to the elderly.

Mr. Mellor

The Department funds the free distribution to all doctors of a number of independent publications which have included general guidance on the prescribing of benzodiazepines applicable to all patients. "Prescribers' Journal" and the "British National Formulary" have referred specifically to the elderly.

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