§ 93. Mr. James Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services under what conditions the drug L-Dopa may be used within the National Health Service for sufferers from Parkinson's disease; what are any undesirable side effects; and what further research in this matter is being undertaken.
§ Dr. John DunwoodyDoctors are at liberty to prescribe on their own professional responsibility whatever drugs they consider appropriate and desirable for their patients, but in reaching a decision they will bear in mind that L-Dopa has so far been passed by the Committee on Safety of Drugs only for clinical trial. Reports of trials of L-Dopa have indicated that a variety of side effects may be produced which vary considerably in their severity.
Clinical trials are being undertaken at five centres in the United Kingdom under the aegis of a working party set up by the Medical Research Council to evaluate this form of treatment.
§ Dr. Summerskillasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the estimated costs of production of D.O.P.A. after its approval by the Medical Research Council, when obtained synthetically and from natural sources, respectively.
§ Dr. John DunwoodyThe clinical trials of L-Dopa continue under the direction of the Medical Research Council. I would not normally expect to receive details of production costs of individual drugs however obtained.