House of Commons · Westminster Hall
26 May 2021 · 0 other contributors · 4,599 words
Opened by Jane Hunt Con Loughborough
Responding minister: Nadine Dorries
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
Jane Hunt raised concerns about injectable vitamin b12 in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key points
Key requests to Government
The government should consider removing the prescription-only classification for injectable vitamin B12 so that those diagnosed can access it over-the-counter, reducing workload on GP services and financial burden on patients. The minister should also address inconsistencies in treatment provision and training for pharmacists to administer injections.
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.
Opened the debate
Vitamin B12 deficiency affects hundreds of thousands of people in the UK, causing a wide range of symptoms and often leading to misdiagnosis. Patients struggle to receive correct treatment and face difficulties accessing injectable B12 from GPs due to bureaucratic hurdles and misinformation.
Government Response
Nadine DorriesIt is a huge pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Dr Huq. I thank my hon. Friend for bringing forward the debate and raising many points that require detailed answers from officials. The Minister highlighted more women suffer from pernicious anaemia and vitamin B12 deficiency than men. She called on constituents to respond to the women's health strategy call for evidence, which is vital for gathering data and pushing for change in policy. On making B12 injections available over the counter, the MHRA is committed to doing so when it is safe, but current guidelines indicate that vitamin B12 injections meet prescription-only medicine requirements due to risks of misuse or abuse by patients. The Minister noted that while NICE guidance was published in July 2020 on pernicious anaemia diagnosis and management, its implementation needs evaluation. She urged my hon. Friend's constituent Tracey Witty to respond to the women's health strategy call for evidence and gather important feedback from affected individuals.