Vol. 452 No. 2
65 Miss M. Wallace asked the Minister for Health the number of women affected by thrombosis as a side effect of using the pill; and his views on whether general practitioners involved in prescribing the pill are sufficiently aware of this risk. [7805/95]
Limerick East): For many years thrombosis has been widely recognised as a possible side effect of using the pill. As comprehensive prescription data is not available it is not possible to assess the incidence rate of thromboembolic events suspected in association with use of oral contraceptives. However, since 1968 the National Drugs Advisory Board has recorded 86 thromboembolic events suspected in association with use of the oral contraceptive pill.
Prescribing the contraceptive pill is contraindicated for women with a history of, or existent thromboembolic disorders; women with breast or genital cancer (known or suspected to be oestrogen-dependent) and women with existing thrombophlebitis or cerebrovascular disease or cardiovascular disease.
