§ 7. Miss LestorTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he has any plans to prohibit or reduce the use of sugared medicines for children;
(2) what steps the Government are taking to overcome the dangers of tooth decay inherent in the use of sugared medicines for children.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThe danger of tooth decay in children from the use of sugared medicines is small in comparison with that arising from their consumption of confectionery. Although sugared liquid medicines which have to be taken by children for long periods are undesirable, sugar may be useful in a formulation, to improve palatability or as a natural preservative. Nevertheless, a move towards sugar-free medicines has been accelerated by the recent report on dietary sugars and human disease by the Committee on Medical Aspects of Food Policy. New sugar-free medicinal products are emerging and, in addition, a briefing paper prepared for health professionals by the Health Education Authority, based on the report, recommends that when medicines are needed, particularly in the long term, parents and medical practitioners should select sugar-free formulations.