HC Deb 04 April 1995 vol 257 cc1035-6W
Mr. Illsley

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) by what criteria projects are chosen by the national poisons unit; [18024]

(2) if she will list those projects undertaken by the national poisons unit which are directly linked to grants; [18025]

(3) if she will list by source and value the grant income of the national poisons unit. [18023]

Mr. Sackville

Management of the poisons unit at New Cross, London, is the responsibility of the Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospital Trust. The hon. Member may wish to contact the chief executive of the trust, Mr. Tim Matthews, for details of projects undertaken at the unit.

In 1994–95, the Department provided £672,000 to the trust in respect of the poisons unit's ongoing contribution to the work of the national poisons information service.

Mr. Illsley

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what are the aims and conclusions of the surveillance of traditional remedies by the national poisons unit: [18026]

(2) what assessment her Department has made of the number of deaths or serious injuries caused by traditional remedies. [18027]

Mr. Sackville

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has funded surveillance by the poisons unit at Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospital Trust of possible toxic effects of traditional herbal remedies. These reports have been considered by both the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment and the Food Advisory Committee. Both committees accepted that clinical evidence gave cause for concern about the safety of some of these products and recommended that further consideration should be given to the action which might be appropriate. Officials in the Department of Health and in the Ministry are taking this forward.

The Medicines Control Agency has a well developed system for monitoring adverse effects of all licensed medicines, including traditional remedies when they are licensed. All safety hazards which arise are promptly investigated and where necessary action is taken to minimise the risks.