HC Deb 16 February 1994 vol 237 cc867-8W
Mr. Jim Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to introduce tests for diabetes before steroids are used on patients.

Mr. Sackville

We have no plans to issue prescriptive guidance on such tests which are a matter for the clinical judgement of individual doctors.

Steroids, which are powerful drugs, may cause side effects especially in high doses. Doctors are fully aware of this possibility and to minimise the risk the dose is reduced as quickly as possible to the lowest maintenance level. During this period the patient is monitored for side effects.

Mr. Jim Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients died in(a) 1992–93 and (b) 1991–92 from the use of steroids in (i) England, (ii) the west midlands and (iii) Coventry.

Mr. Sackville

The information is shown in the table.

Number of deaths from the use of steroids, 1ICD E932.0, in England, West Midlands regional health authority and Coventry in 1991 and 1992.
1991 1992
England 1 0
West Midlands RHA 0 0
Coventry 0 0

1 International Classification of Disease 9th revision