HC Deb 12 February 1996 vol 271 cc461-2W
Mr. Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made of the risks posed by(a) second and (b) third generation oral contraceptives. [14293]

Mr. Malone

The safety of second and third generation combined oral contraceptives has been assessed according to normal procedures over a period of many years since they were first marketed. In October 1995, the Committee on Safety of Medicines, an independent expert advisory committee which advises the licensing authority, reviewed the safety of these oral contraceptives after new evidence about the cardiovascular risks associated with them became available. I refer the hon. Member to the statement my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State made in the House on 23 October 1995,Official Report, columns 701–02.

Mr. Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the licensing authority will vary the product licences of combined oral contraceptives containing desogestrel and gestodene. [14295]

Mr. Malone

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Gordon (Mr. Bruce) on 19 December 1995,Official Report, column 1149.