City MP issues drug test call

EDINBURGH West Liberal Democrat MP Mike Crockart has called for new measures to improve the safety testing of new prescribed drugs.

He said side effects from medicines hospitalised one million Britons and killed more than 10,000 every year.

Some drugs appeared safe when tested on animals, but had serious effects on humans.

He said: "Too many people are harmed by their medicines. It is essential that the public has absolute confidence in prescribed drugs and if superior tests are available, the law should require them."