§ Mr. Harry GreenwayTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what support her Department is giving to the dissemination of information concerning hospital medicines; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. SackvilleProduct information for all licensed medicines is available in data sheets produced by the manufacturers and authorised by the licensing authority and in the British National Formulary, which is sent free to all doctors. In addition, there is now a requirement that manufacturers of all newly licensed medicines supply leaflets written for patients, for older medicines leaflets will be phased in over five years unless requested sooner. For licensed medicines used in hospital, leaflets will be supplied by the pharmacy on request.