§ Ms HarmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent guidance he has issued in respect of side-effect warnings for(a) doctor-prescribed drugs and (b) drugs bought across the counter. [14057]
§ Mr. MaloneNo guidelines have been issued. However all medicines have data sheets which give details of side-effect. New medicines now have patient information leaflets which also give this information, and all other medicines will have such a leaflet by 1998. Information on side-effects of medicines is also available in the "British National Formulary", which is provided free to all doctors by the Department of Health.
In addition, all health professionals are sent the bulletin from the Committee on Safety of Medicines, "Current Problems in Pharmacovigilance", four times a year and the bulletin "Update" from the Chief Medical Officer, which contain information on the safe use of medicines whether they are prescribed by a doctor or brought over-the-counter. Both the Committee on Safety of Medicines and the Chief Medical Officer may also send out letters of advice to health professionals on specific issues as they arise.
§ Ms HarmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what duty a doctor has in relation to informing patients about the side-effects. of drugs. [14058]
§ Mr. MaloneDoctors have an ethical responsibility to inform patients about the treatment proposed, including the effects of prescribed medicines.