Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what proportion of drugs for the treatment and post-treatment needs of breast cancer patients contain lactose; and what provision is made for breast cancer patients who are intolerant or allergic to lactose.

Lactose (milk sugar) is commonly used as a diluent in solid oral dosage forms such as tablets and capsules; however is rarely present in oral liquid presentations or parenteral dosage forms, such as injections. While no list of “lactose-free” medicines is maintained, the presence or absence of lactose in any licensed medicine, including those for breast cancer, can be readily identified.

Where a medicine contains lactose, this is highlighted, together with the quantity of lactose, within the Summary of Product Characteristics. The package leaflet for that medicine will also highlight in qualitative terms whether the medicine contains lactose. The package leaflet is provided with each pack of medicine sold or dispensed in the United Kingdom.

The British National Formulary, a standard medical text in the UK, advises that the lactose content in most medicines is too small to cause problems in most lactose-intolerant patients. However, in patients with severe lactose intolerance, lactose content should be determined before prescribing especially if they are taking several products containing lactose.

Clinicians prescribe the medicines and drugs that are most appropriate for their patient, taking into account all relevant factors and guidance. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, which is responsible for the regulation of medicines in the UK, will help prescribers to establish the availability of a lactose free version of any particular medicine.