Asked by: Marie Tidball (Labour - Penistone and Stocksbridge)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has plans to support scientific evidence gathering for topical steroid withdrawal including (a) patient involvement in research (b) research into mechanisms underlying the condition, (c) risk factors for developing the condition and (d) how common the condition is.
Answered by Andrew Gwynne
The Department’s National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health, including topic steroid withdrawal. It is not usual practice to ring-fence funds for particular topics or conditions. Applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made on the basis of the importance of the topic to patients and health and care services, value for money, and scientific quality.
The NIHR expects patient and public involvement in the research it supports. Applicants for NIHR funding are required to set out plans for involving the patients and the public in funding applications, which are assessed by funding committees.
Asked by: Marie Tidball (Labour - Penistone and Stocksbridge)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to take steps to help increase knowledge of topical steroid withdrawal for (a) GPs, (b) Dermatology departments and (c) medical schools.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has reviewed topical steroid withdrawal reactions, and first communicated about these reactions in September 2021 via our Drug Safety Update, which is read by a wide range of health care professionals. This communication is available at the following link:
The MHRA has continued to monitor reports of topical steroid withdrawal, and in 2024 it undertook a further review, which is available at the following link:
During this review, further advice was sought from dermatologists, the National Eczema Society, and the Commission on Human Medicines. Consequently, the MHRA is taking forward a number of actions, including updated warnings in the product information, and the inclusion of information regarding the potency of topical steroids on the packaging. The MHRA is also engaging with the British Association of Dermatologist, who have released an updated statement, which is available at the following link:
https://cdn.bad.org.uk/uploads/2024/02/22095550/Topical-Steroid-Withdrawal-Joint-Statement.pdf
Following this engagement, the British Association of Dermatologists has formed a Topical Steroid Withdrawal Working Party Group (TSW WP), in collaboration with the National Eczema Society, Scratch That, the Primary Care Dermatology Society, and the British Dermatological Nursing Group. The aim of the TSW WPG is to produce an expert consensus and guidance on supporting people with concerns about topical steroid withdrawal, including a Patient Information Leaflet, and any revision to the joint statement, as appropriate. The joint statement is available at the following link:
https://www.bad.org.uk/topical-steroid-withdrawal-joint-statement/
Asked by: Marie Tidball (Labour - Penistone and Stocksbridge)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to speed up diagnosis times for patients with topical steroid withdrawal.
Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
General practitioners are responsible for ensuring their own clinical knowledge, including of topical steroid withdrawal, remains up-to-date, and for identifying learning needs as part of their continuing professional development. This activity should include taking account of new research and developments in guidance, such as that produced by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, to ensure that they can continue to provide high quality care to all patients. All United Kingdom registered doctors are expected to meet the professional standards set out in the General Medical Council’s (GMC) Good Medical Practice.
In 2012 the GMC introduced revalidation, which supports doctors in regularly reflecting on how they can develop or improve their practice, gives patients confidence doctors are up to date with their practice, and promotes improved quality of care by driving improvements in clinical governance. The training curricula for postgraduate trainee doctors is set by the Royal College of General Practitioners and must meet the standards set by the GMC.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has reviewed topical steroid withdrawal reactions, and first communicated about these reactions in September 2021 in its Drug Safety Update. It produced a further review this year. The British Association of Dermatologists has formed a Topical Steroid Withdrawal Working Party Group, which aims to produce an expert consensus and guidance on supporting people with concerns about topical steroid withdrawal.