§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reasons the paracetamol and methionine compound was blacklisted for prescription on the NHS in 1986; what is his Department's current policy on the compound; and if he will make a statement. [18372]
§ Mr. MaloneThe decision to add Pameton, which contains paracetamol and methionine, to the list of medicines which general practitioners may not prescribe at national health service expense was taken following advice from the advisory committee on the NHS drugs. The committee took into account that Pameton was considerably more expensive than paracetamol, that a doctor who was concerned about the effects of paracetamol on a patient could prescribe an alternative instead, that allowing the product to be prescribed would have no effect in potential suicide cases where paracetamol tablets were bought over the counter, and that, while the value of methionine after paracetamol overdose was well documented, evidence of benefit from methionine when administered at the same time as paracetamol was limited. The committee continues to keep the matter under review and will advise the Department of any recommended changes on the prescribing of such products.