Written question asked by Tim Loughton (Conservative) on Monday, 30 January 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 1 February 2006. It was answered by Jane Kennedy (Labour) on Monday, 13 February 2006 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Pain Relief (Children)

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the drugs licensed for use in the NHS to provide pain relief for children.

Answer: The following medicines are licensed in the United Kingdom and available on the national health service for the treatment of pain in children.Non-opioid analgesics:"Paracetamol""Co-codamol (codeine phosphate and paracetamol)"Opioid analgesics:"Morphine""Buprenorphine""Codeine Phosphate""Diamorphine Hydrochloride""Dihydrocodeine Tartrate""Hydromorphone Hydrochloride""Papaveretum""Pethidine Hydrochloride""Tramadol Hydrochloride"Non-steroidal anti-infammatory drugs (NSAIDs):"Ibuprofen""Naproxen""Diclofenac sodium""Indometacin""Mefenamic acid""Meloxicam""Piroxicam"Information about the licensed indications and prescribing advice for doctors for all of these medicines is published in the British National Formulary for Children which is available in the Library.

Secondary information