§ Mrs Margaret EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list in theOfficial Report those prescription-only drugs which ambulance staff in Scotland were allowed to administer to patients in their care prior to 30 June, and those which have subsequently been withdrawn.
752W
§ Mr. Michael Forsyth[holding answer 25 July 1989]: The statutory list of prescription-only medicines which can be administered by ambulance staff to patients in life-threatening circumstances is as follows:
- Adrenaline injection BP
- Atropine sulphate injection
- Chlorpheniramine injection
- Cobalt edetate injection
- >Dextrose injection strong BPC
- Diphenhydramine injection
- Hydrocortisone injection
- Mepyramine injection
- Promethazine hydrocholoride injection
- Snake venom antiserum
- Sodium nitrite injection
- Sodium thiosulphate injection
- Sterile pralidoxime
The above medicines can be supplied to ambulance staff only on the instructions of the appropriate medical authority. The medicine for treatment of asthmatics, in use prior to 30 June, has now been re-established in ambulances.
The list of prescription-only medicines which may be carried by ambulance staff who have had extended training in accordance with National Health training authority guidelines is now the subject of discussions between health boards and the ambulance service.