Vitamin K

HC Deb 20 May 1996 vol 278 cc81-2W

Mr. Milburn

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he has taken to license oral vitamin K for infants. [30009]

Mr. Malone

The Medicines Control Agency has had extensive discussions about the licensing of oral vitamin K. Currently, no marketing authorisation for oral vitamin K for infants has been granted. Information about all applications for a marketing authorisation for a medicinal product is confidential and no information can be released until the announcement is made in the London, Belfast and Edinburgh gazettes that a marketing authorisation has been granted.

Mr. Milburn

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to issue guidance on the use of intra-muscular vitamin K for infants. [30010]

Mr. Horam

The chief medical officer and chief nursing officer issued guidance on the use of intramuscular vitamin K for infants in December 1992. They await the results of departmental commissioned research, expected during 1996, to inform further guidance.