§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, having regard to the findings printed in the Lancet on 5 November 1977 by Dr. Parveen et al concerning the use of medroxyprogesterone acetate, Depo Provera, in Bangladesh, and in view of the fact that any irregularities in the menstrual cycles of women of both Muslim and Hindu faiths can have serious effects on both their social and religious activities, he will ask the Committee on Safety of Medicines to review the advice which it gives to doctors explaining the possible adverse side effects when prescribing the drug to women of these religions.
§ Dr. VaughanMenstrual irregularities are a recognised side effect of treatment with Depo Provera and are identified as such in the product data sheet. I would normally expect a doctor to discuss the possible side effects of treatment with his patient, but this is a matter for the clinical judgment of the doctors concerned, bearing in mind all the circumstances of each patient.