§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what advice 717W has been issued by his Department on the administration of Depo Provera to nursing mothers; what are the risks involved; whether any research has been undertaken on the effects of Depo Provera on the infants of nursing mothers; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. Vaughan[pursuant to his reply, 20 December 1979, c. 372]: The Committee on Safety of Medicines, which advises the licensing authority on the safety, quality and efficacy of medicinal products, is satisfied, on the basis of clinical data made available to it by the company involved, that Depo Provera may be licensed for the treatment of endometriosis and use as a short-term anti-fertility agent where an oral contraceptive is inappropriate in the following circumstances; for wives of men undergoing vasectomy until the vasectomy is effective; in women being immunised against rubella during the period of activity of the virus. Adviceon the prescribing of Depo Provera is given in the current data sheet issued to all doctors by the manufacturer in accordance with the terms of the product licence. This includes advice that, for puerperal women, the injection should ideally be given during the first week after delivery, but may be given at any time in the first six weeks after birth. Although it is known that steroidal hormones used as contraceptives do enter the milk and that they may affect its protein, fat and calcium content, the committee is not aware of any particular hazards which the drug's use may have for nursing mothers or their children. The question of research into the possible long-term adverse effects of Depo Provera is a matter for my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science, to whom the hon. Member's question for written answer on 16 January has been transferred.
I am satisfied that no further action is required by the licensing authority at the present time.