§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will provide guidance to doctors on the known chronic effects of organophosphate poisoning.[31994]
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§ Mr. WorthingtonGuidance on the effects of organophosphate poisoning on health has been issued to doctors on a number of occasions. The first advice to GPs and A&E consultants was issued on 20 July 1993. This was followed by further advice contained in a book on Pesticide Poisoning which was issued in April 1996. In addition, in June 1996, an article on this subject was included in the CMOs Update which is circulated to all doctors.
§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will ensure that licensing of organophosphates is not carried out by bodies relying exclusively on research data supplied by chemical companies. [31995]
§ Mr. Paul MurphyThe licensing authorities responsible for the approval for use of organophosphate products employ expert scientific staff to assess all data available to them. Advice is also given to them by independent panels of experts, the Veterinary Products Committee, the Committee on the Safety of Medicines and the Advisory Committee on Pesticides, and only when all safety and efficacy criteria are met will a product be approved.