§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what information is available on the incidence and severity of photosensitivity; whether the number of sufferers is thought to be increasing or declining; and to what extent the causes are known;
(2) how common is acute long-term photosensitivity; how many and which of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are known to have it as a side effect; and which they are.
§ Mr. NewtonNo specific information is held by the Department on the incidence and severity of photosensitivity or on the number of sufferers. The causes of photosensitivity are well documented as, for example, in "Cutaneous Photobiology" by W. Frain-Bell (Oxford University Press 1985) which can be obtained through the Library of the House. Photosensitivity, in varying degrees and incidence, is acknowledged as a possible side-effect of most of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs currently available in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will request the Committee on Safety of Medicines to require companies applying for product licences to investigate photo-toxicity in the toxicity studies; and if he will ensure that all such tests are carried out in the summer months and include vulnerable fair-skinned patients.
§ Mr. NewtonAlthough an investigation of phototoxicity is not a general requirement on companies seeking a product licence for a medicinal product, the licensing authority, as advised by the Committee on Safety of Medicines, pays close attention to safety, quality and efficacy whenever an application is considered. If there is doubt about any aspect of safety, including phototoxicity, the company must provide whatever evidence may be needed to reassure the committee and the licensing authority before a licence can be granted.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will initiate discussions with the Association of British Pharmaceutical Industries in order to request the industry to finance research into intractable drug induced disorders, with priority being given to photosensitivity.
558W
Percentage bed occupancy for the Obstetrics specialty. National Health Service hospitals 1981–1986 Regional Health Authority 11981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 Northern 68.3 65.2 62.9 62.4 65.2 63.4 Yorkshire 70.3 68.9 68.6 67.1 68.5 67.8 Trent 70.0 65.1 64.3 64.2 65.0 65.4 East Anglian 63.8 61.6 59.4 60.0 61.5 64.7 N. W. Thames 69.0 64.6 64.0 63.1 61.8 67.0 N. E. Thames 73.4 69.2 70.0 69.0 69.6 69.4 S. E. Thames 73.7 70.9 69.7 68.1 71.0 70.6 S. W. Thames 68.8 65.6 64.5 67.2 66.3 68.0 Wessex 70.6 66.6 65.9 64.2 66.1 67.1 Oxford 69.0 66.9 64.2 66.7 68.4 69.1 South Western 72.6 70.7 70.6 69.1 71.3 66.8 West Midlands 73.2 72.7 70.9 70.1 71.9 73. 5
§ Mr. NewtonI have no reason to question the effectiveness of existing arrangements under which pharmaceutical companies already fund a considerable amount of research in academic departments, for a variety of purposes. I will, however, draw the right hon. Member's suggestion to the association's attention.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the research projects supported by his Department that are currently investigating drug-induced photosensitivity.
§ Mrs. CurrieThe Department is not currently supporting any research into drug-induced photosensitivity.
The main Government agency for the promotion of medical and related biological research is the Medical Research Council, which receives its grant-in-aid from the Department of Education and Science.