Tag: Jim Dobbin

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Dobbin on 2014-06-17.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Answer of 196584 6 May 2014, Official Report, column 41W, on drinking water, what plans his Department has to test for the levels of tranquillisers and antidepressants in drinking water; and if his Department will conduct a study into levels of psychotropic drugs in UK river and seawater.

Dan Rogerson

In 2012, the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) published research looking at pharmaceuticals likely to present the worst case scenario in drinking water. Fluoxetine was included in the study, the outcome of which was that these pharmaceuticals presented no concern for public health. The research is part of an ongoing risk assessment which is revisited in the event of new information. The DWI has also responded to the earlier PQ (0019) on this matter.

Monitoring river water and seawater is driven by requirements under the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD). As psychotropic drugshave not been identified as harmful chemicals under the WFD they are not routinely monitored, although they may be detected in less-specific investigations.

The water industry has undertaken collaborative research into chemicals in sewage effluent through the UK Water Industry Research (UKWIR) Chemicals Investigation Programme. Some medicines were included in the first Programme of 2010-13, including fluoxetine. A second Chemical Investigations Programme, beginning in 2015, will look at the psychoactive medicines fluoxetine and sertraline in sewage effluent.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Dobbin on 2014-06-17.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, with reference to the Answer of 19 January 2012, Official Report, columns 932-3W, how many companies hold licences for the manufacture or distribution of (a) Nitrazepam, (b) Flurazepam, (c) Loprazolam, (d) Lormetazepam, (e) Temazepam, (f) Clonazepam, (g) Medazepam, (h) Midazolam, (i) Zopiclone, (j) Zaleplon, (k) Zolpiden, (l) Eszopiclone, (m) SSRI antidepressants and (n) trycyclic antidepressants; and how many of those licences were issued in the last three years.

Norman Lamb

There are currently 15 products authorised in the United Kingdom containing nitrazepam and 15 different companies authorised to manufacture and distribute them.

There are currently two products authorised in the UK containing flurazepam and one company authorised to manufacture and distribute them.

There are currently two products authorised in the UK containing loprazolam and two different companies authorised to manufacture and distribute them.

There are currently eight products authorised in the UK containing lormetazepam and four different companies authorised to manufacture and distribute them.

There are currently 10 products authorised in the UK containing temazepam and six different companies authorised to manufacture and distribute them.

There are currently six products authorised in the UK containing clonazepam and three different companies authorised to manufacture and distribute them.

There are currently no authorised products in the UK containing medazepam.

There are currently 22 products authorised in the UK containing midazolam and 10 different companies authorised to manufacture and distribute them.

There are currently 17 products authorised in the UK containing zopiclone and nine different companies authorised to manufacture and distribute them.

There are currently two products authorised in the UK containing zaleplon and one company authorised to manufacture and distribute them.

There are currently 21 products authorised in the UK containing zolpidem and 12 different companies authorised to manufacture and distribute them.

There are currently no authorised products in the UK containing eszopiclone.

There are currently 238 products authorised in the UK containing SSRI antidepressants and 57 different companies authorised to manufacture and distribute them.

There are currently 16 products authorised in the UK containing tricyclic antidepressants and 11 different companies authorised to manufacture and distribute them.

One loprazolam, four lormetazepam, two clonazepam, two midazolam, three zopiclone, four zolpidem and 75 SSRI products have been authorised in the last three years.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Dobbin on 2014-05-02.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps she is taking to ensure that her Department’s vaccination programmes reach children with disabilities.

Lynne Featherstone

The UK is a leading advocate for vaccination coverage that ensures that the poorest and most vulnerable groups, including those with disability, have access to essential vaccines. The UK funds the GAVI Alliance, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative and the Measles and Rubella Initiative to conduct supplemental immunisation activities, specifically targeting children who are outside the routine immunisation service delivery system.

The UK’s goal on immunisations is that every child is fully immunised with equitable coverage of core vaccines. In 2011, the UK committed over four years to vaccinate over 80 million children against preventable diseases, including diseases which can lead to disability, through the GAVI Alliance. DFID’s 2014 Annual Report shows we are on track to meet this commitment.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Dobbin on 2014-04-30.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what his policy is on allowing doctors and nurses who have a conscientious objection to supplying contraceptive drugs or devices which act after fertilisation to receive diplomas in sexual and reproductive health.

Jane Ellison

The Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare are responsible for decisions on the syllabus of their Diploma, the requirements for entry to the Diploma course, and the award of a Diploma qualification.

The Department understands that their guidelines on the syllabus and on possible conscientious objection have not changed.