§ Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, since recent evidence indicates that one in 10 admissions to geriatric units are caused by adverse drug reactions, if he will issue a circular to doctors stressing the importance of keeping drug schedules to the elderly as simple and comprehensible as possible.
§ Sir George YoungThe issue of a circular by the Department would not be an appropriate way of seeking to influence prescribing practice; but I have no doubt that the professional bodies concerned will have taken note of the recently reported survey finding that a drug side effect is a contributory factor in about one in 10 admissions to departments of geriatric medicine.