HC Deb 22 April 1996 vol 276 cc24-5W
Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his estimate of the percentages of fatal side-effects of prescription drugs which are not reported under the yellow card scheme. [26276]

Mr. Malone

Under the yellow card scheme, reports of suspected adverse reactions to licensed medicines are received from doctors, dentists and coroners. A report of a suspected adverse drug reaction does not necessarily mean that the reaction was caused by the drug. The scheme is voluntary and not all adverse reactions are reported. The percentage of all fatal adverse reactions which are not reported through the scheme is not known.