Mr. Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the availability in (a) schools, (b) chemists,(c) restaurants and (d)doctor's surgeries of epipens to treat anaphylactic shocks. [73898]Mr. Lammy: In 1996 the Department of Health and the Department for Education and Employment issued joint guidance on Supportingpupils with medical needs in schools. The guidance, which was sent to health authorities and local education authorities, coverstreatment and the development of healthcare plans for pupils suffering from potentially life threatening medical conditions,including anaphylaxis. Although aimed primarily at schools the guidance was also recommended to special schools, nursery schools andfurther education colleges.The Department has not assessed pharmacies regarding the availability of epipens. As epipens are prescribable items we would expectpharmacies to stock them as a matter of course. The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain in their code of ethics refers toemergencies and states ``Pharmacists must assist persons in need of emergency first aid or medical treatment whether byadministering first aid within their competence or by summoning assistance and or the emergency services''.There has been no assessment of the availability of epipens in restaurants and doctors' surgeries.