§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many hospitals in England and Wales are treating patients with gonodotrophin; if he is satisfied that this treatment should continue; and if he will institute an inquiry into the advisability of continuing to treat patients with this drug, in view of the distressing results that occur in most cases.
§ Mr. AlisonThis is one of several "fertility" drugs in clinical use. There are no central records on the use of particular forms of treatment, but I am aware of five hospitals where this treatment is used. Whether a drug should be given to an individual patient is a matter for the clinical judgment of the doctor concerned.
I have no evidence to indicate hazard of a kind which would call for an inquiry with a view to securing discontinuance of the treatment; provided that, as at present, its use is confined to hospitals.