Worker Protection Hazardous Medicinal Products 2026-03-09
2026-03-09
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The question arises from concerns over the adequacy of worker protection against hazardous medicinal products in workplaces.
What steps are being taken to improve the protection of workers against exposure to potentially hazardous medicinal products?
The Health and Safety Executive is working to ensure that employers know their duties under COSHH—the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2022, as amended. Those regulations require a risk assessment and the prevention of, or adequate control of, exposure of employees to hazardous medicinal products.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer does not provide specific steps being taken to improve protection beyond what is already required by existing regulations.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The question follows from the initial query and seeks a clearer statutory definition of hazardous medicinal products and the development of a comprehensive UK list of such products.
Will the Minister consider developing a clear statutory definition of “hazardous medicinal products” and subsequently mandate the development, publication and ongoing maintenance of a comprehensive UK list of hazardous medicinal products?
My hon. Friend make an interesting suggestion, and I know there has been some campaigning around this issue. The Health and Safety Executive has not seen evidence that the current arrangements are inadequate. They appear to be robust and well established, and they seem to be doing the job that is needed. If there is evidence of a problem to which my hon. Friend is able to draw attention, the HSE will certainly look at that very seriously. For now, though, the focus is on making sure that NHS trusts and others know their obligations under the current regulations.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer acknowledges the suggestion but does not commit to developing a statutory definition or a comprehensive list.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The question addresses concerns about poisonings among people over 50 years of age, possibly linked to medicinal products, and seeks an investigation and a follow-up report.
I thank the Minister for his answers. I do not know whether he had a chance to see in the paper last week some figures for poisonings of those over 50 years of age on a number of occasions, although whether those were the unexpected effects of medicinal products or arose from lifestyle is not yet known. As a result of the uncertainty and the rising number of such poisonings, will the Minister look into this issue and come back to the hon. Member for North Durham (Luke Akehurst), me and the House on whether there is a connection?
I do not think I have seen the report the hon. Gentleman refers to. From what I have seen, there is no evidence of a problem with the current arrangements. There may be some pointers in the information he referred to, and if there are, I would be keen to have a look at them.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer acknowledges the possibility of evidence but does not commit to a full investigation or reporting back.
Response accuracy