§ Mr. Nicholas WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what information she has concerning the percentage of cases in which an individual has been identified as being of greater than average risk of developing stomach cancer and in which antibiotics for helicobacter are prescribed; if it is her policy to encourage general practitioners to make greater use of such antibiotics in such cases; and if she will make a statement;
(2) what information she has concerning the percentage of cases of stomach ulcers in which antibiotics for helicobacter are prescribed; whether it is her policy to encourage general practitioners to make greater use of such antibiotics whether or not in conjunction with acid blockers in preference to the use of such acid blockers alone; and if she will make a statement.
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§ Mr. SackvilleSuch information is not available centrally. All general practitioners are encouraged to prescribe in a clinically effective and cost-effective manner. The decision on which drug, if any, to prescribe for a particular patient is, however, solely a matter for the clinical judgment of the doctor.
§ Mr. Nicholas WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health when her Department first became aware of the developments in the treatment of those at greater than average risk of stomach cancer associated with the use of antibiotics for helicobacter; when her Department first took steps to ensure that these developments were drawn to the attention of general practitioners; and how she accounts for the period between the two dates.
§ Mr. SackvilleSuggestions of a possible link between stomach cancer and infection with helicobacter pylori emerged around 1990. Research is still in its early stages. Dissemination of the results of such work when completed will initially be by publication in academic and professional medical journals.