§ Mr. Tierneyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services in view of the disclosure of ever increasing numbers of Eraldin (Practolol) side-effects sufferers being monitored by community health councils in the United Kingdom, if he will now order an investigation to establish the total numbers involved and determine what help his Department can give.
§ Mr. MoyleA further investigation of the kind proposed would not be useful since the hazards of the drug have already been established and Eraldin tablets were withdrawn from the market in 1976. Most of the suspected adverse reactions reported to the Committee on Safety of Medicines occurred before or during 1974 when a possible association with Eraldin was first recognised. The patients concerned will be receiving or have received treatment from their own doctors. Compensation is a matter for the parties concerned and, where they cannot reach agreement, for the courts to determine on the facts of the case.