FOI release

CHM minutes

Some or all of the information requested was not provided because we determined that the cost to do so would exceed the appropriate limit.

Case reference FOI2026/00160

Received 14 February 2026

Published 24 March 2026

Request

I would like to request the following information: Re “The Commission on Human Medicines CHM advises ministers on the safety, efficacy and quality of medicinal products: - As the CSM was replaced by CHM during October 2005 my request may be held in CSM documents. Please can you supply all the information you supplied to minsters on the safety and efficacy regarding the following drugs prior to the Anne Begg Co-proxamol debates in parliament during 2005 and 2007. • Co-proxamol • Oxycodone • Buprenorphine • Codeine • Tramadol In my 'Annotation for Reference' the FDA report clearly shows: - The FDA report produced between 1969 and 2005 there were 10671 more adverse event reports, 3256 more overdose reports, 437 more suicide reports, 5041 more abuse & dependence reports, and the total number of death reports increased by 5059 when Oxycodone was compared with Propoxyphene (Co-proxamol)! The highest number of all adverse events was reported for oxycodone followed by tramadol. Despite this information being available prior to the announcement of the ban on Co-proxamol (2005), the MHRA continued issuing additional 'Marketing Authorisations’ for Oxycodone, Fentanyl and Buprenorphine'. Between 2005 and 2015 MHRA issued 298 additional ‘Marketing Authorisations’ for the more dangerous opiates. MA Increases: Oxycodone +138, Fentanyl (Including Fentanyl Citrate) +75 and Buprenorphine + 85. As CSM/CHM are required to inform and advise Ministers on the safety, efficacy and quality of drugs what advice was given to the Minister regarding these drugs which replaced Co-proxamol?

Response

See attached

Documents

This is Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency's response to a freedom of information (FOI) or environmental information regulations (EIR) request.

You can browse our other responses or make a new FOI request.