§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he has had any discussions with the manufacturers of the drug Primodos about safety precautions;
(2) what advice has been sent to him by the Committee on Safety of Medicines about the drug Primodos for pregnancy testing.
§ Mr. DeakinsIn 1975 the Committee of Safety of Medicines advised the Health Departments that hormonal preparations, including Primodos, should not be indicated for pregnancy testing and that a warning about a possible hazard in pregnancy should be inserted in all promotional literature. I understand that the manufacturers of Primodos had not promoted the product for pregnancy testing since 1969. The safety of the product and the possible hazard have been discussed with the manufacturers, who have recently reminded doctors of the advice that hormonal preparations should not be used for pregnancy testing.