Warn about medicines that impair cognition, MP insists
Medicines that seriously impair cognitive function should be marked with a warning red triangle, according to Labour MP Andrew Dismore (Hendon).
Reintroducing a 10-minute rule Bill into the House of Commons this week,
Mr Dismore said that warnings on medicines, such as benzodiazepine tranquillisers,
antihistamines and tricyclic antidepressants were inadequate. Labelling
was ambiguous and unhelpful and patients were unlikely to realise the
actual level of drowsiness caused.
“
Those unclear or inadequate warnings could leave the drug manufacturer,
prescribing doctor or dispensing pharmacist at risk of civil action for
compensation for negligence if the patient suffers injury as a direct
result of taking the medicines without fully appreciating the risks as
a consequence of such a poor warning,” Mr Dismore told the House.
He added that red triangles were already used in Denmark, France, Iceland
and Norway and that other symbols were used in Austria, Belgium, Italy
and Spain.
“The UK is lagging behind continental Europe,” he said. “We
should move towards a visible warning on those medicines that will leave
no adult in any doubt about their potential effects.”
Mr Dismore’s Bill was first introduced during the previous Parliament,
but fell when the general election was called (PJ, 5 February, p137).
Ten-minute rule Bills rarely progress without Government support. |
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