§ Mr. Jon Owen JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what specific guidelines and advice there are for patients concerning the prescription and the possible side effects of the synthetic corticosteroid Prednisone.
§ Mr. SackvilleIt is important that patients taking corticosteroids do not abruptly stop taking the drug, as this may have serious consequences. This advice is provided to patients through steroid treatment cards which give clear guidance on the precautions to be taken. They also provide details of the prescriber, drug, dosage and duration of treatment. Steroid treatment cards are routinely given to patients taking systemic corticosteroids.
Information and advice on possible side effects are also available in patient information leaflets. I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Bristol, South (Ms Primarolo) on 2 December, Official Report, column 702. However, in the light of the recent recommendations of the Committee on Safety of Medicines regarding severe chickenpox in association with corticosteroids, I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Sheffield, Brightside (Mr. Blunkett) on 12 May, Official Report, columns 216–17, product information for corticosteroids is being revised. All pharmaceutical companies manufacturing systemically administered corticosteroids have been approached and asked to revise or introduce patient information leaflets without waiting until renewal of the product licences.