§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his planned budget for the next three years to advertise the potential dangers of(a) aspirin, (b) coproxamol, (c) dothiepin and (d) paracetamol. [9846]
§ Mr. MaloneAspirin, coproxamol, dothiepin and paracetamol are effective medicines, the indications and side-effects of which are documented in the authorised product information and publications such as the "British National Formulary". The main system for providing regular information to health professionals about important drug safety issues arising with medicines is a bulletin called "Current Problems in Pharmacovigilance", which is produced by the Committee on Safety of Medicines and the Medicines Control Agency. It is sent to all doctors, dentists, pharmacists, and coroners, by post approximately quarterly and is available on the Internet. The current annual budget for this bulletin is £260,240.
178W
§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals he has to assess the level of use of anti-psychotic drugs and drugs containing morphine in residential homes for the elderly. [9847]
§ Mr. BurnsNone. The prescribing of any drug as part of the medical treatment received by a person living in residential care is the responsibility of that person's general practitioner. Medical and pharmaceutical advisers are available to help doctors prescribe most effectively for their patients.
§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the drugs that were available only on prescription in 1979 that are now available without prescription. [9848]
§ Mr. MaloneSince 1979 exemptions to prescription control have been made for the substances in the table, subject, in some cases, to conditions such as indication, maximum dose or route of administration.
Certain medicinal products now available containing these substances may not have been authorised in 1979.
179W
Reclassification of medicines: POM to P switches Substance 1983 Loperamide Ibuprofen 1987 Hydrocortisone 1988 Astemizole 1989 Mebendazole 1991 Hyoscine butylbromide 1992 Carbenoxolone sodium Clotrimazole Econazole Econazole nitrate Isoconazole nitrate Miconazole Miconazole nitrate 1993 Acrivastine Cetirizine Ketoprofen Loratadine Terfenadine Aciclovir 1994 Beclomethasone dipropionate Cimetidine Famotidine Mebendazole Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride Sodium cromoglycate Tioconazole Diclofenac diethylammonium Felbinac Flunisolide Minoxidil Oxethazaine Piroxicam Ranitidine hydrochloride
Reclassification of medicines: POM to P switches Substance 1995 Fluconazole Hydroxyzine hydrochloride Ketoconazole Pyrantel embonate Budesonide 1996 Azelastine hydrochloride Nizatidine