HC Deb 16 May 1990 vol 172 cc418-9W
Mr. Fearn

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what reports he has received of foetal damage caused by benzodiazepines.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

On available information, t he Committee on Safety of Medicines has received 103 reports of foetal damage which may be associated with benzodiazepines. A report of a suspected adverse drug reaction does not necessarily mean a causal relationship. Product data sheets for benzodiazepines state that these should not be used in pregnancy.

Mr. Fearn

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will provide a breakdown of the number of prescriptions issued by community pharmacists for each individual benzodiazepine.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave him on 27 February at column 121. Figures for 1989 are not yet available.

Mr. Fearn

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will initiate an inquiry into the reasons for the disparity in the number of prescriptions for benzodiazepines given to men and women.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

We have taken all reasonable steps to provide doctors with information about the use of benzodiazepines and make them aware of the need to prescribe these drugs carefully. It is for doctors using their professional clinical judgment to decide how best to prescribe for individual patients. An inquiry of the kind suggested would not add new information to aid doctors in their individual prescribing decisions and we therefore have no plans to initiate one.

Mr. Fearn

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information he has on the number of people who have attempted suicide after withdrawing from benzodiazepines.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

This information is not collected centrally.