HC Deb 28 July 1997 vol 299 cc88-90W
Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research he has evaluated into the increased risks resulting from ingesting(a) Ecstasy, (b) LSD and (c) other illegal substances while taking (i) tricyclic antidepressants, (ii) monoamine oxidase inhibitors and (iii) rifampicin; and if he will make a statement. [11017]

Ms Jowell

The Department of Health has not evaluated any research into increased risks from the ingestion of the combinations of substances specified. Should there be any emerging evidence of increased risk, we would of course consider the need to do so.

Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has undertaken into the number of people who have used illegal drugs in each 10-year age band; and if he will make a statement. [11018]

Ms Jowell

As part of the health education monitoring survey 1996, the Health Education Authority included

Percentage ever used an illegal drug Percentage used a drug in the last 12 months Percentage used a drug in the last month
Age (years) Male Female Male Female Male Female
16 to 19 42 47 36 41 27 24
20 to 24 70 46 46 26 35 17
25 to 29 50 32 23 11 12 7
30 to 34 39 26 13 8 9 4
35 to 39 34 26 10 6 6 3
40 to 44 36 16 8 2 6 2
45 to 54 18 11 5 1 3 1
Total (16 to 54) 38 26 17 11 12 6

Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what discussions he has held with the pharmaceutical companies about the need to warn prescribed drug users of potentially fatal interactions between certain products and illegal drugs; [11011]

(2) What assessment he has made of the effect of ritonavir and other drugs used in the treatment of AIDS on the toxicity of methylenedioxymethamphetamine; and if he will make a statement; [11020]

(3) what plans he has to meet representatives of the medical profession to discuss the benefits of compulsory written and oral warnings for prescribed drug users of potentially fatal interactions between certain products and illegal drugs; [11019]

(4) if he will introduce measures to make it a legal requirement for pharmaceutical companies to notify officials about potentially lethal interactions between medicinal and illegal drugs; and if he will make a statement; [11010]

(5) what was his Department's expenditure on research into the possible risks of interaction between prescribed and illegal drugs in each of the last five years. [11014]

Mr. Milburn

The United Kingdom Medicines Control Agency is aware of anecdotal reports of possible interactions between ritonavir and illegal drugs, notably methylenedioxymethamphetamine— Ecstasy. Ritonavir is a centrally authorised product and so these reports will be drawn to the attention of the Committee for Proprietary Medicinal Products which advises the European Commission, the licensing authority for these medicines.

The MCA continuously monitors the safety of all medicines marketed in the UK. This includes monitoring for potential interactions between medicines and between medicines and other substances. Pharmaceutical companies also have a statutory responsibility for the safety of the medicines they market and to provide information on safety, quality and efficacy to the licensing authority.

It is the responsibility of doctors to give advice to their patients about medicines they prescribe. Patients should receive sufficient information, in a way that they can items about drug misuse. This survey involved interviewing 4,645 people aged 16 to 74 living in England; only those aged 16 to 54 were asked to complete the part of the survey concerning drug misuse. Published data show the following prevalence of drug misuse reported in the survey and are reproduced in the table:

understand, about their treatment, the possible alternatives and any substantial risks such that a patient can make an informed decision about treatment. A doctor has to exercise his or her professional judgment in deciding what information the patient should receive.

The Department's policy research programme and the national health service research and development programme are not currently undertaking any research into the possible risks of interaction between prescribed and illegal drugs.