§ Sir Andrew BowdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money was held in hospital accounts in respect of the balance of patients' money; for each of the last five years for each NHS region. [13781]
§ Mr. HoramThis information is not available centrally. Medicines and Food (Dangers) Mr. Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice he proposes to give the public on the danger of combinations of medicines and food in(a) neutralizing the effects of the medicine and (b) causing strokes and heart attacks. [13162]
§ Mr. MaloneWhere there is a known interaction between a human medicinal product and food, advice is already provided in the product information, which is authorised by the Licensing Authority, and in the British National Formulary, which is sent free of charge to all doctors. Doctors are responsible for discussing with their patients treatment options and any risks of treatment, this discussion should include information on likely side-effects and interactions with foods or other medicines. To supplement advice from the doctor many medicines have patient information leaflets, which include advice on how to take the medicine, any side-effects and whether there are any interactions with foods or other medicines. By the end of 1998 all medicinal products will have patient information leaflets, unless the relevant information can be included on the label. Pharmacists are also available for advice on medicines supplied through a pharmacy. In addition, patients taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors receive a treatment card which lists foods which should not be eaten while taking these medicines and for 14 days afterwards.