HC Deb 26 February 1997 vol 291 c267W
Ms Corston

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 13 February,Official Report, column 284 what proposals have been made by the Medicines Control Agency to end the delay in reporting full details of the degree of severity of side effects of the drug Lariam; [17208]

(2) if he will list the terms of reference and membership of the Malaria Advisory Committee; what reports have been made to the Medicines Control Agency and his Department since 1990 by this committee (a) involving and (b) not involving the use of the drug Lariam; and when the latest malaria guidelines were published by this committee. [17206]

Mr. Malone

The guidelines of the use of malaria prophylaxis are prepared by an informal group of experts who have no formal terms of reference or fixed membership. The group does not report to the Medicines Control Agency The guidelines are aimed at health professionals and have been published in theBritish Medical Journal—most recently, 1993; 306:1247–1252 and 1995; 310: 709–7144—where they are available to all those with an interest. These reports include advice on the use of mefloquine, Lariam, and give the names of those who have collaborated in drawing up the guidelines. Copies of the journal are in the Library.