§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if anyone, either directly or indirectly employed by his Department, has investigated the value of linoleic acid from sunflower of safflower oil in the treatment of multiple sclerosis; what investigations have been carried out by his Department into claims by individual sufferers, or medical authorities, of the benefit of such treatment for the disease; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what evaluation he has made of the claims of the benefits of linoleic acid for multiple sclerosis sufferers; if he will now allow this treatment to be given as part of the National Health Service; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir George YoungNo one employed by the Department has carried out clinical investigation of the value of linoleic acid in the treatment of multiple sclerosis. In 1977 the Committee on Safety of Medicines considered an application for the management of multiple sclerosis to be included as an indication for the use of a product containing linoleic acid, and found inadequate evidence to support such an indication. Any new evidence could, of course, be submitted to it by an applicant for a product licence.
The advisory committee on borderline substances has also considered the evidence on the use of dietary supplements and has advised that no such supplemnt should be regarded as a drug in the management of
330W multiple sclerosis. It too, would be prepared to look at the question again if new scientific evidence became available. Until then, we accept the advice given by both these committees.
Grade Minimum Incremental points 1 2 3 4 5 6 Regional Nursing Officer R1 16,154 17,168 19,231 20,683 Regional Nursing Officer R2 15,534 16,727 18,432 20,178 Area Nursing Officer AT1 14,980 16,146 17,082 18,176 19,616 Area Nursing Officer AT2 14,772 15,769 16,899 17,762 19,226 Area Nursing Officer Al 14,508 15,271 16,653 17,312 18,635 Area Nursing Officer A2 13,979 14,719 15,606 16,798 17,558 Area Nursing Officer A3 13,451 14,173 14,892 15,883 16,913 Area Nursing Officer SDAT 14,772 15,769 16,899 17,762 19,226
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many representations his Department has received on the supply of linoleic acid to sufferers from multiple sclerosis; how many were from right hon. and hon. Members; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir George YoungDuring the past year, the Department has received representations from 10 individuals or organisations—eight from hon. and right hon. Members—on the supply of linoleic acid to multiple sclerosis sufferers. The Department has also received a petition containing some 6,500 signatures.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, in the clinical judgment of a general practitioner, his patients are deriving benefit from treatment with linoleic acid, he will allow such treatment under the National Health Service.
§ Sir George YoungA general practitioner is free to prescribe any drug which he considers necessary for the proper treatment of his patients. However, if the substance prescribed may be considered not to be a drug, he may be asked to jusify his decision to his local medical committee and, in some cases, ultimately to an independent panel of referees.