Written question asked by Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 21 March 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 27 March 2000. It was answered by Baroness Stuart of Edgbaston (Labour) on Monday, 27 March 2000 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on the prescription of Prozac to children under 10 years; and what guidelines in respect of the prescription of Prozac his Department has issued.

Answer: Mr. Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the prescription of Prozac to children under 10 years; and what guidelines in respect of the prescription of Prozac his Department has issued. [116102] Ms Stuart: Prozac is not licensed for treatment of children. Doctors prescribe medicines outside their licensed indications in the knowledge that they then bear the full legal and clinical responsibility for the patient's condition in relation to that treatment. Doctors are advised of the clinical considerations which are relevant to their prescribing decisions in publications such as the British National Formulary (BNF). The BNF advises that Prozac is not recommended for children.

Secondary information