§ Mr. Stallardasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will provide the following information about the Thames North supplementary benefits office, Scarborough Street, E.1, and the Thames South supplementary benefits office, Marshalsea Road S.E.1, during the most recent week for which figures are available (a) how many claimants called at each office during that week, (b) how many were refused any supplementary benefit payment at each office during that week, (c) how much money in total was paid out to claimants at each office during that week and (d) how many vouchers for board, lodging, meals or clothing were issued at each office during that week.
§ Mr. DeakinsThe information requested is as follows:
being taken in the light of reports of the dangers of poisoning from children's medicines which include the drugs imipramine or amitriptiline.
Refusals Money paid £
Vouchers 39 10,300 446 7 20,500 236
§ Mr. EnnalsA review of these drugs is well advanced. Already, on the advice of its expert sub-committee on psychotropic drugs, the Committee on the Review of Medicines has recommended that (a) imipramine, amitriptiline, and nortriptyline should not be used for infants and children under six years of age, (b) the maximum period of treatment for enuresis—bedwetting—should not exceed three months, (c) further treatment should not be started without full physical examination, including an electocardiograph, (d) the possibility of behavioural changes in children should be considered.
Paediatric syrup formulations of these drugs will be considered shortly by the expert sub-committee.
Implementation of the recommendations will be pursued through the product literature and promotional activities of firms marketing the drugs, and consideration is being given to bringing the matter to the special attention of the medical profession.
335WAs to the safety of such products in the home, the Pharmaceutical Society's voluntary scheme for child-resistant containers is to be extended, as recommended by the Medicines Commission, to tablets of tricyclic antidepressants, barbiturates and iron. Experts in the use of antidepressants support this measure. The Health Education Council is stressing the need to keep medicines out of the reach of children. This warning is required for dispensed medicines under the labelling regulations coming into full effect this year.
The measures now in hand should make a significant contribution to child safety, but I shall continue to consider this matter most carefully.