Compensation For Steroid Misuse

EDM number 1396 in 1989-90, proposed by Harry Barnes on 15/10/1990.

That this House recognises the value of steroid drugs in appropriate and carefully monitored situations but it is deeply concerned by past failures by pharmaceutical companies to stress that those who are provided with corticosteroids and become dependent upon them are liable to suffer serious side effects which, in certain cases, cause the patient more harm that the diseases the drugs were initially prescribed to tackle; calls upon general practitioners to take great care and caution in prescribing these potent drugs; accepts the need for free eye tests, especially for those on corticosteroids whose vision may thereby be at risk; and calls upon the Government to press the pharmaceutical companies to establish an accessible and sizeable fund for compensation on a no blame basis on the New Zealand pattern, for those whose lives have been seriously and effectively damaged by corticosteroids abuse and misuse.

This motion has been signed by a total of 13 MPs.