HC Deb 04 November 1980 vol 991 cc548-9W
Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will extend the use of child-resistant containers to anti-depressant drugs, in view of the numbers of children who have died from accidental doses of anti-depressants and if he will make a statement.

Dr. Vaughan

Accidental deaths in England and Wales of children under 15 years of age due to poisoning by antidepressants never exceeded six in any of the years 1970 to 1979, and averaged under four per year during the period. A voluntary scheme exists with the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain whereby all dispensed preparations containing aspirin and paracetamol are supplied in child resistant containers. Proposals are under consideration for extending this scheme to all solid dose dispensed medicines.