HC Deb 02 December 1993 vol 233 c698W
Ms Primarolo

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to ensure that a list of side effects are given whenever steroids are dispensed.

Mr. Sackville

Patient information leaflets are an important way for patients to receive easily understood information about the medicines that they use. We have recently implemented a European Community directive to take effect from 1 January 1994, one effect of which makes patient information leaflets compulsory for all medicines unless all the information is shown on the label. These leaflets will contain important information on how medicines should be used and useful information on side effects. Pharmaceutical companies will be implementing this requirement progressively over the next five years.