§ Mr. LoveTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what guidance he has given(a) paediatricians and (b) general practitioners on the prescription of drugs to children which are not licensed for the treatment of children; and if he will make a statement; [36170]
614W(2) how many cases have been recorded in each regional health authority in each of the last 10 years, where children have been prescribed treatments which are (a) unlicensed for use on children and (b) not used in accordance with labelled instructions; [36171]
(3) if he will investigate the extent of the use of unlicensed treatments on children; and if he will make a statement. [36172]
§ Mr. BoatengInformation on the use in practice of medicines which are not licensed for children is not collected centrally. Doctors have access to clinical guidance on the use of specific medicines which are not licensed for children—to enable them to have sufficient knowledge to take responsibility for treatment. Most medicines prescribed in these circumstances are used in accordance with practice established by specialists in the field, where there is evidence or a sound theoretical basis for the use of the medicine in children and where therapeutic benefit has been established. We do not propose to undertake an investigation but understand the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health is giving this matter further consideration. We shall be guided by any recommendations made by the College.