§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if there have been any yellow card reports sent to the Committee on Safety of Medicines regarding adverse reactions to vitamin B6, pyridoxine.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeYes. There are 28 products which contain only vitamin B6 (pyridoxine). We have received 29 adverse reaction reports relating to such products. In addition we have received 527 reports relating to combination products containing pyridoxine and other ingredients. It is very important to bear in mind that a report does not necessarily indicate a causal relationship between a product or a constituent of a product and the reported reaction.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when the Committee on Safety of Medicines or its professional staff last considered the safety of vitamin B6, pyridoxine; and what were the conclusions.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe safety of pyridoxine, either alone or in combination products, has been considered by the committee and by professional staff on numerous occasions over the years; it was last considered earlier this year. I am advised that provided products are used in the doses and indications set out in their prescribing literature there are no concerns about their safety.