§ Mr. Paul MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many prescriptions have been(a) issued and (b) issued to children for sibutramine. [127089]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonIn 2002, 197,000 prescription items of sibutramine were dispensed in the community in England. Of these, it is estimated that 1,000 items were dispensed to children. There is no information available on the number of children who received sibutramine. Information is not held centrally about drugs prescribed and dispensed in hospitals.
§ Mr. Paul MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients have been prescribed sibutramine for(a) up to four weeks, (b) one to three months, (c) three to 12 months and (d) longer than 12 months. [127099]
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§ Miss Melanie JohnsonThe information requested is not held centrally. However guidance issued by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence recommends that people should continue with treatment for more than four weeks only if they have lost 2 kg in weight, and beyond three months if they have lost at least 5 per cent. (5 kg for each 100 kg) of their body weight from the start of the drug treatment. Treatment is not recommended for more than 12 months.