Written question asked by James Naish (Labour) on Friday, 29 May 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 2 June 2026. It was answered by Preet Kaur Gill (Labour) on Monday, 8 June 2026 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.
Prescription Drugs: Sugar
- Question
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To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has issued guidance or instructions relating to the reduction or removal of sugar from prescription medicines; and what assessment he has made of the potential impact of such changes on patients who are unable to tolerate artificial sweeteners.
- Answer
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The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) does not issue specific guidance mandating the reduction or removal of sugar from prescription medicines. Decisions on formulation, including the use of sugars or artificial sweeteners as excipients, are made by manufacturers but are subject to MHRA assessment as part of the marketing authorisation process to ensure that medicines meet appropriate standards of safety, quality, and efficacy. In practice, sweeteners may be required to ensure medicines are palatable and acceptable to patients. The safety of excipients, including artificial sweeteners, is considered during licensing, and their use must be appropriately justified. Where relevant, information is included in product information to support healthcare professionals in advising patients, including those who may have sensitivities or intolerances.
The MHRA’s role is to regulate medicines to ensure that they are acceptably safe, of suitable quality, and effective, rather than to determine individual product formulations. Manufacturers are responsible for developing medicines, including decisions on the use of excipients such as artificial sweeteners, which must be justified and are assessed as part of the licensing process. The MHRA requires that excipients are clearly described in product information, enabling prescribers to take account of patient-specific factors, including any known intolerance. Where alternatives are available, prescribing decisions can be made to select the most appropriate formulation for the patient. The MHRA continues to work with partners across the system to support the availability of a broad range of medicines to meet patient needs.
Secondary information
- Type
- Written question
- Reference
- 4511
- Session
- 2026-27
- Related items
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Prescription Drugs: Sugar and Artificial Sweeteners
Friday, 11 September 2026
Written questions
House of Commons
-
Prescription Drugs: Sugar and Artificial Sweeteners
Friday, 11 September 2026
Written questions
House of Commons
- Grouped for answer
- Yes
- Subjects
- Prescription drugs Sugar Artificial sweeteners
- Link
- View this Written question on www.parliament.uk
Show all related items (5)
Librarians' tools
- Timestamp
- 2026-09-15 10:11:54 +0100
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- http://data.parliament.uk/writtenparliamentaryquestion/commons/2026-27/4511
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