Asked by: Jim Dobbin (Labour (Co-op) - Heywood and Middleton)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 7 July 2014, Official Report, column 43W, on ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, what information the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) collects about the (a) identity of drugs used in treatment and (b) dosage used and the associated regimen for ovarian stimulation at each clinic; and what comparative assessment he has made of the collection of such data by the HFEA and by other countries that report data to the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology.
Answered by Jane Ellison
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority has advised that it does not collect information on the identity of drugs used in treatment, the dosage used and the associated regimen for ovarian stimulation at each licenced centre. As a result, no comparison has been made with data collected by countries submitting information to the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology.
Asked by: Jim Dobbin (Labour (Co-op) - Heywood and Middleton)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to ensure that drug retailers accurately describe the operations of their products; if he will require retailers of the drug Ulipristal acetate to detail accurately its abortifacient effects; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Norman Lamb
Ulipristal acetate is the active ingredient in the emergency contraceptive known as EllaOne.
Following a High Court ruling in 2002, emergency contraception is defined as a method of contraception not abortion. The decision confirms the Government's long held position that a pregnancy begins at implantation and not fertilisation. This judgment means that this position is now established in law and is not a matter of policy
EllaOne is a contraceptive, it is not an abortifacient.It exerts its contraceptive action by preventing or delaying ovulation.
EllaOne is used to prevent pregnancy for up to five days after unprotected intercourse or contraceptive failure. It is specifically contraindicated for use during an existing or suspected pregnancy
The information provided in each pack of EllaOne clearly informs women and healthcare professionals that it should not be taken by a woman who knows or suspects she is pregnant.
Asked by: Jim Dobbin (Labour (Co-op) - Heywood and Middleton)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to the Answer of 7 July 2014, Official Report, column 1W, on abortion, if she will withdraw her Department's policy position paper entitled Safe and Unsafe Abortion pending a free vote in the House on the use of UK aid to (a) campaign for more liberal abortion laws in other countries and (b) provide abortion services in other countries.
Answered by Baroness Featherstone
The policy paper sets out how UK aid can be used to save the lives of women at risk from unsafe abortion, in accordance with the responsibilities that Parliament has given the Secretary of State.
Asked by: Jim Dobbin (Labour (Co-op) - Heywood and Middleton)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 24 June 2014, Official Report, columns 156-7W, on ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, what assessment he has made of the reasons for the reductions in the number and proportion of severe cases of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome reported to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority between 2009 and 2010 and between 2010 and 2011.
Answered by Jane Ellison
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority has advised that it has made no assessment of the reason as to why there was a reduction in the number and proportion of severe cases of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome reported to the Authority between 2009 and 2010 and between 2010 and 2011.