§ Mrs. Bridget PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health in what way the formulae of the more expensive brands of oral contraceptive differ from the formulae of the cheaper brands; what is the difference in the degree of health risk between more expensive brands and cheaper brands; and what are the relative clinical benefits of the more expensive brands.
§ Dr. MawhinneyI refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Glasgow, Maryhill (Mrs. Fyfe) on 11 February at columns757–59 which details hormonal composition and cost of each brand of oral contraceptive currently marketed. Before any medicinal product may be marketed in the United Kingdom the licensing authority must be satisfied as to its safety, quality and efficacy. Neither the licensing authority nor its advisory committee, the Committee on Safety of Medicines, has the remit to take into consideration the cost of a medicine.
Oral contraceptives containing high doses of hormones are more likely than low dose preparations to cause side effects. Doctors should use their training, knowledge and experience to weigh carefully the likely benefits against the anticipated risk before choosing the most appropriate treatment for the individual patient.
§ Mrs. Bridget PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what the British Medical Association's response has been to the Government's proposals to restrict oral contraceptive prescriptions.
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§ Dr. MawhinneyWe have received no such response from the British Medical Association.