Depo Provera (Hansard, 30 October 1980)

§ Mr. Carter-Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if any new research findings have been published to alter his calculated average figures based on existing research showing that 70 per cent. of women receiving Depo Provera suffered menstrual disturbances; if, following the information regarding adverse reaction, he remains satisfied that the use of short term Depo Provera should continue; and if his Department or the Committee on Safety of Medicines will publish a statement to clarify the position;

(2) if a 70 per cent. adverse menstrual reaction to Depo Provera is acceptable to his Department; what percentage adverse reaction would cause the Committee on Safety of Medicines to withdraw its approval; if the Committee on Safety of Medicines or his Department possess information on this drug which has not been made available in parliamentary answers; and if he will make a statement;

(3) if he will publish in the Official Report the contra-indications of the drug Depo Provera given on the clinical data sheets and other published information given by the manufacturers; if he will publish the percentage adverse reactions to this drug on hair loss, masculinisation, 344W weight gain or loss and menstrual difficulties on the 11,000 case studies published by Upjohn Limited; and if he will make a statement;

(4) if, in his reply of 9 July to the hon. Member for Eccles regarding the adverse reactions to Depo Provera, he included the 20 per cent. severe menstrual problems experienced by patients treated with this drug by a professor of obstetrics and his consultant colleagues; what follow-up and investigation was undertaken by the Committee on Safety of Medicines regarding these cases; and if he will make a statement;

(5) if, in the light of his reply of 9 July to the hon. Member for Eccles, he will examine all correspondence from senior consultants on the adverse reactions of Depo Provera and publish in the Official Report why it was not considered necessary to follow up their reports; and if he will make a statement.