Written questions by Snell.

What the most up to date NHS advice is for the application of a second Adrenaline Auto-Injectors in an anaphylactic emergency.

While adrenaline auto-injectors (AAIs) are prescription only medicines, given by intramuscular injection, regulation 238 of the Human Medicine Regulations 2012 allows anyone to administer adrenaline for the purpose of saving a life in an emergency. This includes first-aid responders, although this does require the patient to have their AAI with them.The decision to administer adrenaline is always subject to the pharmacist’s professional judgement. If a pharmacist administers adrenaline, they must also dial 999 for an ambulance, reporting a case of suspected anaphylaxis.In June 2023, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), with the support of allergy awareness advocates, launched a safety campaign to raise awareness of anaphylaxis and provide advice on the use of AAIs. The MHRA produced a toolkit of resources for health and social care professionals to support the safe and effective use of AAIs. Alongside this, the MHRA produced guidance, which states that prescribers should prescribe two AAIs to make sure patients always have the second dose and that those who are prescribed AAIs should carry two AAIs at all times.

Whether the MHRA allows an AAI prescribed to someone else to be used on a person having an anaphylactic reaction.

Regulation 238 of the Human Medicines Regulation 2012 permits the administration of adrenaline by auto-injector for use in anaphylaxis for the purpose of saving a life. The regulation does not specifically provide for, or prevent the use of, an adrenaline auto-injector, supplied under a named prescription for another person, in an anaphylactic emergency.Regulation 235 and Schedule 17 of the Human Medicines Regulation also permits the supply and administration of adrenaline without a prescription, including auto-injectors, to and by named categories of individuals that are suitably trained, and certain institutions and organisations, such as schools. The regulation does not prevent the use for administration of an auto-injector prescribed to someone else.

Whether spare AAIs can be used on someone in an anaphylactic emergency if they do not have a previously diagnosed allergy.

While adrenaline auto-injectors (AAIs) are prescription only medicines, given by intramuscular injection, regulation 238 of the Human Medicine Regulations 2012 allows anyone to administer adrenaline for the purpose of saving a life in an emergency. This includes first-aid responders, although this does require the patient to have their AAI with them.The decision to administer adrenaline is always subject to the pharmacist’s professional judgement. If a pharmacist administers adrenaline, they must also dial 999 for an ambulance, reporting a case of suspected anaphylaxis.In June 2023, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), with the support of allergy awareness advocates, launched a safety campaign to raise awareness of anaphylaxis and provide advice on the use of AAIs. The MHRA produced a toolkit of resources for health and social care professionals to support the safe and effective use of AAIs. Alongside this, the MHRA produced guidance, which states that prescribers should prescribe two AAIs to make sure patients always have the second dose and that those who are prescribed AAIs should carry two AAIs at all times.

Whether a pharmacist can use an Adrenaline Auto-Injector from their pharmacy on someone having an anaphylactic emergency.

While adrenaline auto-injectors (AAIs) are prescription only medicines, given by intramuscular injection, regulation 238 of the Human Medicine Regulations 2012 allows anyone to administer adrenaline for the purpose of saving a life in an emergency. This includes first-aid responders, although this does require the patient to have their AAI with them.The decision to administer adrenaline is always subject to the pharmacist’s professional judgement. If a pharmacist administers adrenaline, they must also dial 999 for an ambulance, reporting a case of suspected anaphylaxis.In June 2023, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), with the support of allergy awareness advocates, launched a safety campaign to raise awareness of anaphylaxis and provide advice on the use of AAIs. The MHRA produced a toolkit of resources for health and social care professionals to support the safe and effective use of AAIs. Alongside this, the MHRA produced guidance, which states that prescribers should prescribe two AAIs to make sure patients always have the second dose and that those who are prescribed AAIs should carry two AAIs at all times.

What proportion of (a) tableware and (b) crockery used in (a) his Department, (b) Integrated Care Boards, (c) hospitals and (d) NHS England Offices is made by a British manufacturer.

The Government is committed to supporting British businesses and ensuring they have the best chance to win public contracts. The new Procurement Act creates a simpler and more transparent system that will support British businesses bidding for work. The Act also allows contracting authorities to set standards that recognise the quality and standard of UK businesses and products. Alongside this, the National Procurement Policy Statement encourages contracting authorities to consider this government’s Industrial strategy and the sectors vital to our economic growth. The tableware and crockery used in the Department is provided by our catering supplier. They do not record where the crockery was made and are unable to advise what proportion was manufactured in Britain. Some of the crockery was manufactured in the UK.Integrated care boards, hospitals, and NHS England do not hold this information and it could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of health misinformation due to levels of media literacy on public health decision-making.

The Department has not made a specific assessment of the impact of health misinformation on public health decision making, but recognises the importance of accurate health information being available to the public and of preventing misinformation.The Department regularly rebuts factual inaccuracies when they appear in traditional media and undertakes extensive planning, engagement, and strategic work to ensure accurate public health information is available on social media channels to mitigate misinformation. In addition, the Department strives to ensure that all of the information it publishes is accurate, clear, and accessible to a variety of audiences, including using easy read versions.

How many adrenaline auto-Injector (AAI) prescriptions were issued in each of the last 10 years.

The Prescription Cost Analysis (PCA) data release gives items and quantities of each medicine dispensed in the community in England. The following table shows the total number of National Health Service prescription items dispensed in the community in England, regardless of where prescribed, for adrenaline auto-injectors, from 2015 to 2024, and in total: YearTotal prescription items2015303,8102016324,3772017338,6682018351,9312019381,7542020375,2402021343,7292022403,0462023407,0702024429,542Total3,659,167Source: the NHS Business Services Authority’s Open Data Portal, PCA dataNote: the term ‘items’ refers to the number of times a product appears on a prescription form, and not the quantity prescribed.The data does not include data on medicines used in secondary care, prisons, or those issued by a private prescriber.

If he will make an estimate of the number of children under the age of 18 that are currently diagnosed with an allergy.

The Department does not hold data on the number of 999 emergency calls that mention anaphylaxis. Neither does the Department hold data on the number of paediatric allergists employed in the National Health Service.The Department has not made an estimate of the number of adults or children under the age of 18 years old that are currently diagnosed with an allergy. The table attached shows the number of hospitalisations due to allergies in the last ten years, broken down by ages and type of allergy.

How many paediatric allergists are employed in the NHS.

The Department does not hold data on the number of 999 emergency calls that mention anaphylaxis. Neither does the Department hold data on the number of paediatric allergists employed in the National Health Service.The Department has not made an estimate of the number of adults or children under the age of 18 years old that are currently diagnosed with an allergy. The table attached shows the number of hospitalisations due to allergies in the last ten years, broken down by ages and type of allergy.

If he will make an estimate of the number of recorded deaths due to anaphylaxis in the last 10 years.

Data regarding anaphylaxis-related deaths in England and Wales is documented by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology also holds a register to capture and learn from fatal cases of anaphylaxis, the UK Fatal Anaphylaxis Register, which has been operational since 1992.The following table shows the number of deaths in England and Wales where fatal anaphylactic reactions were reported as the underlying cause of death:Registration YearDeaths20141,42920151,59820161,56320171,64620181,73120191,59720201,67420211,46520221,64520231,665Source: ONS The following table shows the number of deaths in England and Wales where fatal anaphylactic reactions were mentioned on the death certificate:Registration yearDeaths20148,11220158,17020168,32420178,58020188,45520198,259202011,379202110,97220228,87920238,645Source: ONS

If he will make an estimate of the number of hospitalisations due to allergies that have occurred by (a) age and (b) type of allergy in the last 10 years.

The Department does not hold data on the number of 999 emergency calls that mention anaphylaxis. Neither does the Department hold data on the number of paediatric allergists employed in the National Health Service.The Department has not made an estimate of the number of adults or children under the age of 18 years old that are currently diagnosed with an allergy. The table attached shows the number of hospitalisations due to allergies in the last ten years, broken down by ages and type of allergy.

If he will make an estimate of the number of 999 emergency calls that mentioned anaphylaxis in the last 10 years.

The Department does not hold data on the number of 999 emergency calls that mention anaphylaxis. Neither does the Department hold data on the number of paediatric allergists employed in the National Health Service.The Department has not made an estimate of the number of adults or children under the age of 18 years old that are currently diagnosed with an allergy. The table attached shows the number of hospitalisations due to allergies in the last ten years, broken down by ages and type of allergy.

If he will make an estimate of the number of adults that are currently diagnosed with an allergy.

The Department does not hold data on the number of 999 emergency calls that mention anaphylaxis. Neither does the Department hold data on the number of paediatric allergists employed in the National Health Service.The Department has not made an estimate of the number of adults or children under the age of 18 years old that are currently diagnosed with an allergy. The table attached shows the number of hospitalisations due to allergies in the last ten years, broken down by ages and type of allergy.

If he will hold discussions with representatives of the food and drink industry on the impact of their products on public health.

The Department engages with the food and drink industry through policies that are aimed at encouraging them to make their products, or overall product portfolios, healthier, by reducing levels of sugar, calories, saturated fat, and salt, reducing portion size, and shifting sales to healthier products. This includes legislation to restrict junk food advertising on television and online, and the locations in supermarkets in which foods and drinks that are high in saturated fat, sugar, or salt can be promoted. In addition, engagement occurs through the voluntary reformulation programme that requires businesses to reduce levels of sugar, calories, and salt in everyday food and drink. The Department will also engage with relevant stakeholders, such as the food industry, in taking forward the ban on the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to children under the age of 16-years old.The Department is currently considering what further engagement may be required with the food and drink industry.

Whether his Department is taking steps with the food and drink industry to help tackle (a) poor diets and (b) obesity.

From data collected through the National Diet and Nutrition Survey, the Government knows that, compared to dietary recommendations, people are generally consuming too much sugar, saturated fat, salt, too many calories, and not enough fruit, vegetables, or fibre. This contributes to many people having poor diets and the high levels of obesity seen in both children and adults.The prevention of ill health is a priority for the Government, as is creating the healthiest generation of children. As the providers of the food and drink we eat, it is clear that the food industry has a key role in helping to improve the nation’s diet. For this reason, the Government has already published its response to the consultation on restricting junk food advertising on television and online, putting the legislation on track, and is committed to banning the sale of high caffeine energy drinks to under 16-year-olds.Other existing policies such as the legislated restrictions on the locations in supermarkets in which foods and drinks that are high in saturated fat, sugar, or salt can be promoted, and the voluntary reformulation programme, aim to encourage the food industry to make everyday food and drink healthier. Voluntary industry guidelines to reduce levels of salt and sugar in, and improve the marketing and labelling of, commercially available food and drink aimed at babies and young children aged up to 36 months, that form an additional workstream for the reformulation programme, are also expected to be published in the next month. The Department continues to review the balance between mandatory and voluntary incentivises to help tackle poor diets and reduce obesity.