Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions his Department has had with clinical bodies on the potential connection between quinine and heart risk.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) continuously monitors the safety of all medicines on the market in the United Kingdom and seeks independent expert advice from the Commission on Human Medicines on important new safety issues.

Quinine can be an effective medicine for the treatment and prevention of severe nocturnal leg cramps in adults. Quinine is also used to treat malaria. Quinine tablets are only available on prescription from a doctor.

It has been known for many years that quinine can affect the electrical activity of the heart, particularly in high doses or when it is given in combination with other medicines affecting the heart or to patients with existing heart problems.

A recently completed routine periodic review of quinine considered two recent studies that reported a small increased risk of death in patients taking quinine for leg cramps or restless legs syndrome. Although the studies were associated with limitations, the product information (including patient information leaflet) is currently being updated to contain additional warnings to support informed decision-making between healthcare professionals and their patients. The updated information will also be communicated to healthcare professionals in November.