§ Sir Cranley OnslowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the availability within the NHS of user-friendly adrenaline injection kits for the treatment of anaphylaxis.
§ Mr. SackvilleThere are at least three presentations of self-injectable adrenaline preparations available, but only one of which is licensed for use under the Medicines Act 1968. Doctors can prescribe any product which they feel necessary for the treatment of their patients at national health service expense, providing it is not included in schedule 10 to the NHS (General Medical Services) Regulations 1992. However, doctors must take full responsibility for the patient's welfare when prescribing an unlicensed product. Arrangements are in place to enable these to be obtained.
§ Sir Cranley OnslowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the adequacy of guidelines for the treatment of anaphylaxis in accident and emergency departments of NHS hospitals in England and Wales.
§ Mr. SackvilleWe are not aware of any clinical guidelines on the treatment of anaphylaxis in accident and emergency departments. The development of such guidelines and their upkeep would be a matter for the medical profession. Information relating to Wales is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.
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§ Sir Cranley OnslowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the adequacy of equipment and training for the treatment of anaphylaxis for ambulance services in England and Wales.
§ Mr. SackvilleAll national health service paramedics in England and Wales are trained in the emergency treatment of anaphylaxis, and I am informed that the equipment needed for such treatment is standard on all front-line ambulances.