HC Deb 22 December 1972 vol 848 c506W
Mr. Alfred Morris

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what study his Department has made of the effects of prescribing the drug phenothiazine; and if he will make a statement.

Sir K. Joseph

Medicinal products containing phenothiazines have been in use as major tranquillisers in the treatment of mental illness for many years. It is well known that their side-effects include disturbances of muscular activity which may, for example, interfere with normal speech. It is believed, however, that such effects arc reversible when the dosage is reduced or medication ceases.

Any new observation on the phenothiazines will be reviewed by the Committee on Safety of Medicines as part of its normal monitoring of adverse reactions.