HC Deb 26 May 1993 vol 225 c577W
Mr. Elletson

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement about the use of the drug Halcion in treating cases of severe depression.

Dr. Mawhinney

Halcion, or triazolam, is a treatment for insomnia and not for depression. It was withdrawn from the United Kingdom market in 1991 on grounds of safety because of psychiatric adverse reactions, including depression. Under the Medicines Act the manufacturer has rights of appeal against the permanent withdrawal of the drug and at the present time the matter remains under appeal.