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Dept of Health

Answer

Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment he has made of the risks of driving while taking (a) benzodiazepines, (b) tricyclic antidepressants and (c) antihistamines; and if he will make a statement; [204020] (2) if he will introduce changes to labelling of (a) benzodiazepines, (b) tricyclic antidepressants and (c) antihistamines to ensure clear advice on possible effects on driving when taking such medication is included; and if he will make a statement. [204021] (3) if he will commission research on the experience in other EU countries of the effects on the incidence of road accidents of labelling pharmaceutical packaging to include information on the effects of the drug on driving, with particular reference to (a) benzodiazepines, (b) tricyclic antidepressants and (c) antihistamines; and if he will make a statement. [204062] Ms Rosie Winterton: It is recognised that some medicines may affect ability to drive. Where a particular medicine or class of medicines is known to affect a patient's ability to drive, a warning is included in both the product information for prescribers--the summary of product characteristics--and patients--the patient information leaflet. Antihistamines, which cause drowsiness are is included in both the product information for prescribers--the summary of product characteristics--and patients--the patient information leaflet. Antihistamines, which cause drowsiness are required by law to include a warning on the outer label concerning the need for caution regarding driving. In addition, for certain groups of drugs, including benzodiazepines, tricyclic antidepressants and sedating antihistamines, warning labels in relation to driving are added at the time of dispensing of the medicine by the pharmacist, in line with guidance provided in the British National Formulary. The impact of medicines, which may affect the ability to drive on the incidence of road traffic accidents is unclear. There is very limited information systematically recorded by the police in the United Kingdom or elsewhere on accident causation due to the effects of medication. Studies are currently ongoing to evaluate the impact of medicines on the risk of road traffic accidents. In particular, the European Commission is supporting a three year extensive research programme named IMMORTAL (Impaired Motorists, Methods of Roadside testing'-and Assessment for Licensing). This study aims to investigate the influence of chronic and acute impairment factors, including impairment from medicines, on driving performance and accident risk. Until the level of risk due to medicines has been identified, it is not possible to assess the effects of medicines labelling on the incidence of road traffic accidents.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

428 c1673-4W;428 c1671-2W; 204020;204021;204062

Session

2004-05

Subjects

Accidents Driving Drugs Driving under influence Roads

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk