§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of harm caused to unborn babies from their mothers taking benzodiazapines during their pregnancy there have been in each of the last five years. [44073]
§ Ms JowellInformation on the number of babies born to mothers taking benzodiazepines during pregnancy who have congenital abnormalities or experience complications is not available. The number of congenital anomalies and neonatal complications reported to the Committee on Safety of Medicines through the United Kingdom's spontaneous adverse drug reaction scheme from 1 January 1992 to 31 December 1997 suspected as associated with benzodiazepines is shown in the table.
Year Number of suspected adverse reaction reports of congenital anomalies and neonatal complications associated with benzodiazepines 1993 5 1994 0 1995 0 1996 1 1997 5 A report of a suspected adverse drug reaction does not necessarily mean that it was caused by the drug, as factors such as underlying disease and concomitant medication may be contributory. The level of reporting of adverse drug reactions with particular drugs is influenced by the scale of drug usage, the period of time the drug has been on the market and publicity about the drug.