§ Q16. Mrs. Kellett-Bowmanasked the Prime Minister if he is satisfied with the co-ordination between the Secretaries of State for Social Services and Employment in relation to the banning of the sale of sulphacetamide products except against the signature of a doctor, which is contrary to Statutory Instrument Number 906 (First Aid Boxes) 1959, which insists on the provision of a tube of sulphacetamide eye ointment in all first aid boxes supplied to factories.
§ The Prime MinisterThis matter is now being urgently reviewed by the two Departments. A substantial body of medical opinion considers that no sulphacetamide preparations should be supplied except on medical prescription. The issue under review is whether, exceptionally, the use of this eye ointment in first aid in factories without medical prescription should be continued. I have asked my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services to inform my hon. Friend of the outcome of the review.