Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will discuss with the British Medical Association and other medical bodies the potential effects of erythromycin on unborn babies and pregnant women.

The Department has no plans to discuss the potential effects of erythromycin on unborn babies or pregnant women with the British Medical Association and other medical bodies.

The Commission on Human Medicines has recommended that no change to the licence for erythromycin is required. Infection in pregnancy can cause serious harm, both to the mother and baby, and it is essential that pregnant women receive treatment with an appropriate antibiotic, including erythromycin, when necessary.