HC Deb 26 June 1985 vol 81 c430W
Mr. Latham

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will insert mucodyne carbocisteine syrup on the limited list of drugs to assist elderly patients with bronchitis and emphysema.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

I refer my hon. Friend to my reply on 25 June, at column385. We are making arrangements for the committee which will review the selected list to consider mucodyne and other similar mucolytic agents at its first meeting. We will announce details of the committee soon.

Mr. Latham

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) whether, following experience of the limited list, he will reconsider the exclusion of dimethicone antacids;

(2) whether, pursuant to the reply on 24 April, Official Report, column 500, he will add xylometazoline nasal spray to the limited list of drugs as an alternative to ephedrine or xylometazoline nose drops for children with sinusitis or catarrh, so as to avoid the need to drip unpalatable fluid into a child's nose;

(3) whether he will put Celevac granules on the limited list in the interest of elderly patients who have difficulty in swallowing Celevac tablets.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

We will shortly be setting up the committee to review the selected list and keep it up to date. The committee will be free to consider the need for these or any other drugs.

Mr. Latham

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, pursuant to the reply on 24 April, Official Report, column 500, he will outline the alternative drugs under the limited list suitable for a child with mild sinusitis or eustachian catarrh where sudafed elixir is discovered to produce symptoms of hyperactivity and sleeplessness in that child.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to him on 24 April, at columns500–501, in which I listed three drugs that doctors might prescribe.

All systemic nasal decongestants contain ingredients that may cause hyperactivity and sleeplessness in children. Psuedoephedrine, the active ingredient of sudafed elixir, is no more likely to cause such symptoms than other drugs in this group.