§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what percentage of(a) the general population and (b) asthma sufferers using corticosteroid inhalers develop cataracts; and if he will make a statement; [11009]
(2) what assessment he has made of the possible link between the use of corticosteroids in asthma inhalers and the development of cataracts. [11008]
§ Mr MilburnThe Medicines Control Agency is aware of the recently published survey from Australia inThe New England Journal of Medicine suggesting that cataracts may be more common among adults using inhaled corticosteroids. The scientific evidence is currently being assessed.
Cataract is a progressive disease and it is difficult to assess its incidence. However, it is primarily a disease in older people and incidence increases with age.