§ Mr. Nigel JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received regarding the increase in the retail price for aspirin and paracetamol following the new Department of Health guidelines on pack size; and if he will make a statement. [57872]
§ Ms JowellThe Department has received a number of letters from hon. Members and from members of the public since the introduction of new pack sizes for most aspirin and paracetamol products which became a statutory requirement on 16 September 1998.
557W
§ Mr. GorrieTo ask the Secretary of State for Health in how many cases in England and Wales in each of the past five years individuals have had to spend more than one night in hospital because of aspirin poisoning. [59637]
§ Mr. HuttonInformation on the number of finished consultant episodes in National Health Service trusts in England with a primary diagnosis of poisoning by aspirin is shown in the table.
Information relating to health services in Wales is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.
Year Number 1993–94 1,374 1994–95 1,328 1995–96 1,503 1996–971 1,439 1997–981 1,505 1 For 1996–97 and 1997–98 no adjustments have been made for shortfalls in data Source:
Hospital Episodes Statistics
§ Mr. GorrieTo ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reasons soluble and effervescent products are exempt from the regulations restricting the number which may be sold in one package to 32; and for what reasons dispersible products are not exempt. [59639]
§ Ms JowellThe new measures for aspirin and paracetamol are aimed at reducing toxicity in overdose by limiting pack size for solid (tablet and capsule) formulations available over the counter.
Effervescent and some soluble formulations (which contain at least 75 per cent. carbon dioxide-forming ingredients) are exempt from the new pack size restrictions because they are difficult to swallow in quantity. These tablets will foam, making it difficult to take more than a small number. Powders, granules and suppositories are also exempt for similar reasons.
Dispersible and some soluble preparations are not exempt because, although designed to be dissolved in water, they can easily be swallowed in solid form and so there is potential for abuse.