§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services up to what level of degree of risk of danger to the foetus the Committee on Safety of Medicines requires a drug to be exonerated before it gives approval; and if the committee considers that the acceptable level of risk should vary according to the extent of the use of the drug.
§ Dr. Vaughan[pursuant to his reply, 22 April 1980, c. 119–20]. It is not possible to consider the acceptable level of risk to the mother and the foetus associated with any drug separately from its benefits. A very large number of factors have to be weighed in assessing the risk/ benefit ratio and each drug therefore has to be assessed individually.