§ Mr. Tierneyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if, in view of public anxiety on the possible extent of problems, he will set up an independent inquiry to consider the effects on the 610W health of individuals of the drug Eraldin with a view to full publication of the numbers of those who have suffered from adverse side -effects of the drug;
(2) if he will request his officials on the research panel of experts dealing with the Eraldin syndrome to give urgent attention to failures in the communication system in the medical profession and the problem of the under reporting of adverse side effects;
(3) if he expects to receive a full report from the research panel of experts set up by the Committee of Safety on Medicines and his officials to study the basic mechanism of the Eraldin syndrome; and if the report will be made public;
(4) if he will name the research panel of experts set up by the Committee of Safety on Medicines and chief scientists of the Health Department to study the basic mechanism of the Eraldin syndrome;
(5) when the research panel of experts set up to deal with the Eraldin syndrome are to meet; and when he expects a published report of their findings;
(6) if he will ensure that the research panel of experts set up to deal with problems of the drug Eraldin will endeavour to establish the exact number of people, yet unknown, who are affected.
§ Mr. MoyleThe panel of experts being set up by the Committee on Safety of Medicines and the Chief Scientists of the Health Departments will consider and advise on the progress and results of present and future studies of beta-blocking agents, including investigation into the mechanism of the "practolol (Eraldin) syndrome". Professor J. Crooks of the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Dundee, has agreed to chair the panel, which will meet as soon as the other members have been appointed. The nature of the clinical studies required is such that a considerable time may elapse before the panel completes its work, but advice will be given as it becomes available.
The panel will be concerned with the scientific aspects of therapy with beta-blocking agents. Wider issues are being examined by the Medicines Commission. In addition, the Committee on Safety of Medicines is currently considering ways 611W of improving the recognition and reporting of adverse reactions. In the circumstances, while I share my hon. Friend's concern about the side effects associated with practolol, which was—and remains—a useful drug in certain serious heart disorders, I am not at present considering any additional inquiry. Patients affected will generally be receiving treatment from their doctors.