Mr. lain Millsasked the Secretary of Social Services if he will discuss with drug manufacturers a scheme to ensure that those drugs that could affect the driving capability of drivers of motor vehicles are invariably identified when supplied to the user of the drug.
§ Dr. VaughanRegulations already require warnings of this nature to be included on labels of certain medicinal products, such as anti-histamines. Where such a warning is considered to be necessary for other medicines, this can be effected by way of a condition in the product licence.
The Committee on the Review of Medicines looked into the possiblity of a general scheme, but concluded that a blanket requirement for wider categories of drugs could not be justified; indeed there was evidence that some drugs which might he held to impair alertness or judgment did 292W not, in fact, do so. It is our view that the question is best considered by the licensing authority on the merits of each case rather than by general discussion with drug manufacturers.
Mr. lain Millsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will introduce detailed guide lines for doctors on the need for clear advice about the effect of certain prescribed drugs on patients' ability to drive motor vehicles, motor cycles and trucks.
§ Dr. VaughanWarnings about the use of individual drugs are available to doctors from a number of sources, including product data sheets provided by the manufacturers. Although I would normally expect patients to be informed about the possible effect of certain prescribed drugs, I believe this should remain a matter for the judgement of the doctor concerned.